Showin Up!

You ever have one of those days when it takes all you have to concentrate? Maybe you are tired, or preoccupied, or...you fill in the blank. Whatever the case, life can be tough to deal with on a good day. I did not play many sports in school when younger, but I tried football for awhile. One of the last times I took the field, was in the 7th grade. I do not have great stories of sacrifice and glory from my days as an athlete, but one day I hold especially dear. Our team went to play for the District Championship. It was an evening game, and we went into the old Cobb Stadium in Dallas, Texas. I still remember what it felt like taking the field!
We were dressed out in our White uniforms with Purple Numbers. We were the Leila P. Cowart Panthers. Wow, that was a long time ago! It's tough to imagine Leila P. Cowart being a powerhouse. More than what we were or did that day, I remember coach Morrison. He was one of my heroes! I remember him telling us before the game, "We have to show up! We have to think on our feet! We have to do what we've learned! Most of all we have to SHOW UP and Beat these guys!"
Show up! We knew exactly what he meant! Not just show up in physical form, but mentally be there and think on our feet! He used to say in his kind mannerism, "PAY ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" It must have tough for him to get ideas across to us. We were not the sharpest group of guys. Coach Morrison was a great coach and teacher. To be honest, I can't remember who won that game. But I know we were all on our toes, paying attention to what we were doing while we were on the field. And the most amazing thing of all, was I got to go into the game for a couple of downs! What a feeling! To get to step out on the field during such a game!
God wants us to live life the same way our coach wanted us to play on the field. God wants us to be alert! He wants us to show up! To be there for people in times of pain and trouble. God wants us to show up each day! The first person I try to show up for is God! And then of course, my lovely wife! Then, others I meet through the day. God has people in our path all through the week that He wants us to be there with and be there for. Who are you showing up for? What is God placing in your path?
Have a blessed week!

Hy