You are probably reading the title of this entry thinking...isn't most football, tackle? And, yes it is! But, there is flag football, two-hand touch, powder-puff, and I am sure there are other variations. Yesterday there was a three man game of tackle football in our front yard! David was all-time quarterback and Caleb and Jacob were each on separate teams. In essence, playing against each other with Dad quarterbacking for both teams! Bree (Our summer intern and precious house guest for the summer...who we may just adopt as our daughter!), and myself were the all-time fan section!
Today, I'm really not sure who won, but it was alot of fun to watch. The tackle element was the favorite part. I watched the boys slow their running so the other could catch up, just so they could be tackled. Then at one point it was a three-man pile up on the front lawn with alot of laughter thrown in for good measure. It was fun to watch, nobody got mad (which is a great accomplishment with two boys playing against each other), and there were no injuries. However, they were calling for substitutions about half way through! Watching them role around, call for the pass, and fall dramatically to the ground as if to draw the attention of any fans that might be watching from other yards was probably one of the highlights of this Memorial Day together as a family. These moments are so dear and yet they pass by all too quickly.
As I watched them it brought to mind something that I think we all struggle with...the game of life. What made this particular game of football more fun than others that have started in our yard was the FUN! Nobody took the game too seriously. No one was wearing their masculinity on their shirt sleeve. In the game of life, it can get so serious, so fast. There will be moments to come in life that will tackle us and bring us to the ground, sometimes very literally. Those moments must be handled with serious maturity. But, the moments in between need to be enjoyed, while leaving our "serious-business only" attitudes at the door.
What I mean is this, I could have been worried about grass stains on the clothes, someone getting hurt, or the fact that everyone within ear-shot could hear the "smack-talk" or taunting going on in my front yard "football field"! But, we chose to laugh together and make a memory that day. Have you ever heard the song..."We have this moment to hold in our hands, and to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand, yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come, but we have this moment today"? I would like to think that I held on to that moment yesterday, but it is already gone, and now it is up to me to make the most of the moments I have today.
It doesn't have to be football in the front yard, or anything really out of the ordinary. It just means that today between school, baseball games, and soccer practice I must take the time to appreciate what God has given me. And, in the process let my family know that I treasure them...grass stain and all! Maybe next time I will get off the sidelines and make a couple of tackles myself!!! (On a day when the neighborhood fans are on vacation!!!) Today, why not leave the serious, I'm-so-tired from work face behind and enjoy the life that God has given you. Laugh, take a walk, play in the rain (If and when it comes!), start up a game of football, have a tea party with the Barbie dolls (I guess this is what you do when you have girls in the house!), surprise your spouse with a night out, or take your favorite book and go to the coffee shop, and hold on to a few moments that God has given you today!!!
Posted on
Tue, May 26, 2009
by Crystal Colp