Last week I tackled Priscilla Lin. At least twice.
It was great. I hadn't played football in like...a year, and I've been wanting to tackle Priscilla since her freshman year, fall semester (she's now a spring semester sophomore). To be honest, I didn't really want to play football last Friday. It was a bit cold out, I was tired and my introvertedness was kicking in after Large Group and our Ministry Fair. But I decided to force myself to go because really, plans to play football really don't come around that often, so you have to grab the chance when it comes.
And I'm glad because I ended up playing longer than I anticipated. It wasn't deathly cold out, and even though it was hard to walk in the snow, it wasn't too bad running in it. And I got to play with a whole bunch of people I don't normally hang out with. It was good exercise and I wasn't huffing and puffing too much, considering how out of shape I am (although it's probably because running in the snow slows me down).
And, Winnie wanted to tackle me so terribly but did not. Score!
It was funny because at one point Priscilla was like, "Tammy, could you please just let me run a little bit before you get me? Just a little bit." So I said okay. Steve, her team's QB, threw the pig-skinned thing to her and she caught it (good job, Priscilla!), but I pummeled her before she could run two feet anywhere. Whoops.
She yelled at me for not letting her run a bit. I wanted to let her run, I really did (I'm serious!). But I was so focused on making sure her team didn't advance that my reflex was to not let her get past me. My team was losing and I wasn't going to widen the gap by letting the opposing team get any further ahead. So, I'm sorry Priscilla. The overall goal of my team was more at risk than your desire to run a little bit out. There were more people involved than you and me, and there was a bigger plan at hand than yours or mine.
That's kind of how I've felt over this semester so far - focused. The current standings sometimes don't look like they're in my favor and it looks like we're losing. There are plays I wish we could've achieved. And there's things I want, but if I give in, there's a chance it'll put the team more at risk. I have to keep in mind the bigger picture - we want to win the game.
I don't know the outcome, and the odds are against me, but I've received such peace and joy and seen fruit from the focus God has given me.
There are more people involved than you or me. And there's a bigger plan at hand than yours or mine. I just hope next time we play we'll be on the same team.
