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Girl Meets God

    by Melissa Mathews

The Winning-est Coach
Date Posted: February 3, 2008
"Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good."
Elizabeth Elliot

Fox News hasn't reported it. CNN hasn't reported it. Rush Limbaugh hasn't reported it.
But it has happened. A great football dynasty has fallen. A team that remained undefeated for over 6 months has finally seen its demise. I saw it myself. I was there to witness Jackson dodging past older brother Max and stepping over the goal line for the winning touchdown.

I personally found the whole game stressful because I knew what was at stake. Older brother Max and baby Grant had managed to triumph over middle sons Mark and Jack for months now. I think the record was 20-0. Every time they've come home from the park, Mark and Jack wail because they've lost yet again. But I also knew that a previously undefeated season would only make a loss for Max and Grant more painful.

What amazed me the most about this little game of no-pads-tackle football was the performance of the quarterback. Daddy Scott played the position for both teams. And with each huddle, he gave his best advice and his best effort. It didn't matter which team he was talking to—the winners or the losers. He cheered each one on and gave each team the best strategy for scoring a touchdown. On the sidelines, I was definitely yelling for the underdogs. But Scott wasn't. He corrected and coached and cheered each team as if this was the first game of the season.

I must admit that I was terribly impressed. How could he be so impartial? How could he be so equally interested in a good outcome for both teams?

It was hard for me not to think of God, the Father Coach, at the game yesterday. I know He treats us with that same impartiality. He wants us all to win the game. He's not giving His best advice to some, and hoping the rest will lose.

I love what Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 "…I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men… This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

So while there might be days where it seems like God is not coaching fairly, He is. He wants everyone to be saved. He wants everyone to win. You might need a different game plan, a more intense strategy to get to the goal line. But God is the winning-est coach. Just get in the huddle and listen, and get ready for the touchdown pass.

"Word from Scotland" from Sandy Shaw

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Biography Information:
I'm a preacher's kid, pastor's wife, and southern belle who married a Southern California boy. Can you say 'culture clash?' Scott and I have four boys - Max, Mark, Jackson, and Grant who keep us busy with homework and sports.

Scott and I have been married 22 years and currently live in Northern California where we are beginning year five as church planters. I also teach 12th grade English and love it.

I would love to hear from you. Email me anytime at melissa.g.mathews@gmail.com
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