“Take your positions with helmets on!”
Jeremiah 46:4
Jim and Joshua yesterday afternoon as they prepare for the first game of our first tackle football season. Joshua is playing various position, including running back and tight end. Jim is serving as “Team Medic”.
Jim and Joshua yesterday afternoon as they prepare for the first game of our first tackle football season. Joshua is playing various position, including running back and tight end. Jim is serving as “Team Medic”.
The league put on a very impressive, exciting and professional-esque Pep Rally for the New Hope-Solebury Lions last Thursday evening!Joshua is in the center in the picture below. #48.
Joshua’s dream of playing in a “real” tackle football game was realized yesterday. He has been asking for a few years, but we have kept him in flag football until this season. God’s guidance and timing was perfect. Joshua was ready. Mommy was ready. Jim and I agreed, this year we could say “yes” to our son. I have been so excited for him. He loves football.
God’s guidance was amazing. Our home town does not have a Pop Warner Football Team, so we default to a neighboring township. However, we didn’t feel a peace about participating there. So, many months ago, when some dear friends of ours unexpectedly asked us to have Joshua come play on the P-W township league in their town, we felt that was the right thing. We asked the Lord for His plans to prevail. After following a few requirements to play for a different township, the door was wide open for us to play for the New Hope-Solebury Lions!
Our friends thought for sure that our sons would be on the same team. The dads talked about coaching together. My girlfriend and I were giddy over spending hours together on the bleachers cheering our young football players on (and having some girl chat!).
As it turned out, our sons were placed on different teams because of slight differences in their stature and age. We are still disappointed we are not together, but we see the Lord’s hand in it all. Each of our boys are right where they should be. My girlfriend and I are going to plan to “overlap” on each game day so we can share some time together and still cheer each other’s sons on during their respective games. (Her son’s game will always be right before Joshua’s game.) We know we are where we are supposed to be. I am thankful our friends reached out and invited us to play for their township, even though our sons are not in the same weight class this year. The Lord used their invitation to us to get us where He wanted us. His plans are always best. I expect Him to grow my faith through football.
Joshua’s first game yesterday was very exciting. He played the whole time and his team did very well. They were not victorious on the scoreboard, but they are all winners to us. They played hard, and most of all they demonstrated great sportsmanship and character. That’s what means the most to this mommy’s heart.
While watching my son play tackle football ignites my heart in a way I never imagined, it also keeps me on my knees as I ask the Lord to protect every inch of Joshua’s body and to develop His godly character into Joshua’s heart. The football field with be a precious threshing floor of sorts, and I am trusting God to use it to separate the wheat from the chaff. Our Kinsman-Redeemer is the ultimate life coach. Football and faith. Sounds like it will be a good season for all of us!
We are also looking forward to having a lot of fun! Am I ready for some football? YES! Bring it on!
Go New Hope-Solebury Lions!