These days, the precipitation has lost its confidence. Sometimes it comes down as rain, sometimes as sleet, and other times as stickiest snow. The temperature seems more confident, settled around zero, occasionally dipping or rising slightly. That’s prime conditions to bring back memories of high school recesses.
So this time, I’m sharing a fun post. Soccer games are one of the things I still miss most about school. We played soccer outdoors three times a day, fifteen times a week– in rain, blizzard, or sunshine, in grass, water, or snow. Now why would I like to go back to that? I’ll just let you read this poem (if I dare call it that) I wrote back then, and let you find out for yourself!
Out we go
In the snow.
We slide,
We glide.
We hear a shout.
What’s that about?
It’s their score!
Please no more!
So we scurry,
Filled with worry;
We stumble
And fumble.
A slip,
A flip,
And here we sit,
Not hurt a bit!
Some snickers,
Hope flickers.
Their team, we find,
Is one behind.
We sigh
And try
Again to shoot
With winter boot.
We watch it sail—
But it’s a fail;
An expert save
With just a wave
Of goalie’s hand.
So now we stand,
All soaked,
Provoked.
On snow so slick
We dodge and kick.
A scrape and scratch,
Uneven match
When toe meets leg!
Our shoulders sag
And breath grows short,
But friends support.
We miss a spin.
Their players grin.
We wish we couldn’t hear
Their team’s uproarious cheer.
For all was set,
And ball met net!
But not one player slows.
Now tied, the focus grows.
It’s competition.
We’re in position.
Our jackets wet,
Cling tight with sweat,
Adrenaline runs high.
And then we hear a cry,
“Keep going, friends!”
So Center sends
The ball towards a chum.
He runs, but staggers some.
The seconds tick.
No time to trick.
He dashes,
And smashes
His ball into the goal,
With perfect, aimed control.
From far and near
The atmosphere
Splits with shrieks of jubilee,
For we really won, you see!
In those seconds
Teacher beckons,
Calling us to end the game.
None has ever been the same!
As we troop indoors,
We rehearse the scores.
Not one player grumbles.
Wearily we stumble,
But laugh and smile,
And chat a while.
Then collapsing ‘gainst our lockers,
We declare, “THAT’S HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER!”
Thank-you, classmates, for making it so memorable.
And so, my thoughts continue…Encouragement and camaraderie make such a difference, even beyond soccer games. We are not here alone to fight through struggles by ourselves. We must stand together, supporting one another and helping each other back onto our feet. As Christ’s Church, our purpose is far greater than just to win a game. There’s a serious daily battle against evil. There is an eternal goal we are striving for, and the day of victory is approaching quickly. In these last moments, let’s stand strong for Christ, no matter how messy this world becomes. With the Victor on our side, we will win.
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)
Hebrews 10:23-25
and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Inspired to Inspire 