Well, we are not off to a good start. At least according to the scoreboard. Though, in just about every other way, Richland football seems to be shaping up. The boys are responding to the new coaches and plays and workouts and so on. Really, on the inside it is so cool seeing something like this come together. BUT, like I said, not so on the scoreboard - which is what the outside world sees.
This weekend, I was encouraging my coach and said something like, "you know, someday you can write a book about this. The Lord will use this in many other lives....etc. etc. etc". My sweet husband just looked at me with a smile and said, "you, know, I am not as discouraged as you think I am, or should be, I am just hurting, this hurts." Ok ladies, how do you put a "bandaid" on that one????
Well, pondering that later, I was reminded of many heroes of the Bible that through the toughest times never seemed discouraged, but you know that they hurt. If not from physical pain, from the pain of isolation, rejection, persecution, imprisionment, and so on. For us as wives, seasons are long and sometimes painful. It "hurts" us to see our husbands in a not so perfect situation.
Romans 5 (The Message)
1-2By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.
3-5There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!
From Our Daily Bread this morning: Even though life is not fair, God is faithful
Life is tough. But God is good. NO MATTER what! Plain and simple. The refiner's fire( Rev. 3) is HOT. It has to be to remove the things that get in our way. And whether we have winning season or not, we choose to praise the One who gives us breath. Romans 5 in itself ought to bring a smile to your face - just to know that Jesus is Peace and if you know Him, that Peace is yours.
Great word for even those who arent coaching. Enjoyed reading! :)
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