"It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, But if there’s no one to help, tough!" Ecclesiates 4:9-10 MSG
Time of Devotion.
Among the many lessons football has taught my sons, I am grateful for the sense of belonging and team. They have learned how to trust someone, rely on someone, forgive someone, encourage someone. They have celebrated and mourned wins and losses together. They have come for one another in class, in practice and after games.
This community-building-way-of-living I pray will set them up for a lifetime of believing what the verse above says: it’s better to have a partner than go it alone.
When we each bring our strength to the table, the combination results in more than we can imagine having accomplished alone. When the offense does their part and the defense theirs, we see results. When those that block, block and those that run, run, and those that tackle, tackle, then victory is ours. If we all tried to be what we aren’t, or do it all alone, there wouldn’t be much to celebrate, just loneliness, and selfishness and envy. God has another way, we each can be who and how He made us, and add our strength to another’s and then we look like the body He created.
Call to Prayer.
Let’s pray our sons appreciate how God has made them and their part on this team and in His story. Let’s pray they come for each other, and lift each other up, and see who needs encouragement.
Lord, Thank You for how you made each of us. Show us how we can have eyes to see those around us and those who you might want us to offer a hand. Be with our sons as they learn to live in the story You are writing for them, and use the gifts You’ve given them. Thank you for the people You’ve put in their lives. We pray for their sense of belonging to Your family. This we pray in Your name, Amen.
Week Four's "Call to Prayer" was written by Beth Guckenberger. Between biological, foster, and adopted children, Beth and her husband Todd have raised ten children - including the Trojans' #9, senior wide receiver, Evan Guckenberger.