FOODFORTHOUGHT

This young man was still the smallest of the class when he
entered high school. But his father continued to encourage him but also
made it very clear that he did not have to play football if he didn't
want to. But the young man loved football and decided to hang in
there. He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd
get to play when he became a senior. All through high school he never
missed a practice nor a game but remained a bench warmer all four
years.

His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of
encouragement for him.

When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for
the football team as a "walk-on". Everyone was sure he could never
make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster
because he always puts his heart and soul in every practice, and at the
same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they
badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so
much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father
shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college
games. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his
four years at college, but he never got to play in the game.

It was the end of his senior football season, and as he
trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big play off game, the coach
met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became
deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father
died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?"

The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said,
"Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even plan to come back
to the game on Saturday.

Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the
third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man
quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football
gear.

As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were
astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon. "Coach, please let me
play. I've just got to play today." said the young man. The coach
pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player
in this close playoff game.

But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the
kid, the coach gave in. "All right," he said. "You can go in".

Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands
could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never
played before was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop
him. He ran, he passed, looked and tackled like a star. His team began to
triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game,
this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning
touchdown. The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their
shoulders. Such cheering you never heard!

Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had
showered and left the locker room the coach noticed that the young man was
sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him and
said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got
into you? How did you do it?"

He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said,
"Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?'
The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Dad came to all my
games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted
to show him I could do it!"

Like the athlete's father, God is always there cheering for
us. He's always reminding us to go on. He's even offering us His hand for
He knows what is best and is willing to give us what we need and not
simply what we want. God has never missed a single game.

What a joy to know that life is meaningful if lived for the
Highest. Live for HIM for He's watching us in the game of life.