I'm still in a bit of shock, joy, and most of all, GRATEFULNESS, for what has happened tonight, after (what some told me) a 9 year dry spell, our men and lady in maroon and white did what a lot of people didn't think was going to happen, they have defeated the Kahuku Red Raiders, in what can only be described as a nail-biter of a game!
In the pre-game, Coach let me do an encouragement...I thought about this all week, looking for bloodthirsty, head-lopping, violent Scriptures to justify going to WAR.....found NONE. At least God wouldn't let me. LOL. What I did find and what lingered in my mind, I shared. I shared that both teams are so evenly matched that no one wants to truly speculate what was going to happen. But I did share, that the team that was going to win tonight will be the one that plays with UNITY. Even with our star running back who is setting some potential records this season, it's NOT about him. Even he will not say anything but praise for his fellow team-mates. The word I passed to them to share was, "I got your back." In everything. Offense for defense. Defense for offense. No matter what happens, cover each other's back. Build strong walls. Make that ball move. Listen to coaches carefully. Pay attention.
I also shared about the all-too-familiar verse, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." I said that we had to understand the context of that verse to truly live it out. That Paul preceded that by declaring his faith in good times (plenty), and in bad times (flat broke). I told the boys that Christ can work in their lives if (1) they would trust Him and know how much He cares for them, and (2), be okay with the outcome, no matter what, if they give 110 percent of their hearts on the field. It was well-received. I prayed for the team and we were on the field!
It was back-and-forth smash mouth football, with both teams not letting up on both offense and defense. The first half of the game looked like it was going to be a 0 - 0 tie, until Kahuku came out with a huge 90 plus yard interception return for a touchdown which sent out team to the halftime down by seven points.
The coaches reinforced their game plan, and I prayed for unity in the team. As we approached crucial moments in the game, I began to pray with my eyes open, as I usually do to watch the progress of the game. God spoke to the back of my heart and said, "In faith, close your eyes and pray to Me". I had a HARD time doing that! But I did, and when I heard screaming and yelling, I slowly opened my eyes to see miracles in action. Players that needed a "boost" were going from frightened (not of the opponents, frightened of getting injured for the next game) to making HUGE plays, one fellow player even got himself some yard-losing tackles to the opponents, sending them into negative territory! How good is God?
I saw bunches of players praying, loudly, with no shame, they were pouring their heart to God for this game, not for a win, but for COURAGE and STRENGTH to push forward. I for one, saw up front what a championship football team plays like. So so proud (in a Godly way) of our team.
The deal breaker? A botched snap for the XPA, and the holder couldn't get a 2 point pass out quick enough. That ONE point was the deciding factor. I gotta believe it's something greater than that! :D
FINAL SCORE: Farrington 14, Kahuku 13. TYJ!!
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