Those Friday Night Lights. . .

There’s nothing quite like attending a hometown football game. Now, I know most of you think, “So what? You had a home football game last night!” But for us who live in the small town of Doniphan – its a big thing! Doniphan didn’t have a football team for many years. Three years ago – the program started out small. Last year, the community rallied together and along with the team and their families, they built a stadium – across from the high school, but on privately donated land. This year – the stadium is complete and beautiful with a bench lined walkway at the entrance. This is a football program that “the town built.” Last night was our first varsity home game of the year, and it was great in so many ways.

First of all, it didn’t matter who the player was – If they were wearing the “black and gold,” we were yelling, clapping, and encouraging them. There were proud Dads and Moms, grandparents, and folks like us, who just know a few players, all “rootin’ for the home team.” In Acts 7, we read of Stephen’s great sermon of faith. It was so powerful and made the Jews so angry that it says, “When they heard these things, they were cut to their heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:5-55) When Stephen was in the “game of his life,” Jesus had jumped up, much as we did last night, to encourage him to keep on, keeping on.

Another thing I noticed this year is our team is getting better! They are now a “force to be reckoned with!” They are not so nervous. They are more confident. They are more experienced, and it looks like they’re having fun! At first, the Christian life may seem hard. We may stumble and fall, but if we are persistent, it really does get easier, especially if we surround ourselves with a “team” of Christian friends.

Most importantly, it didn’t matter whether we won or lost the game, the Doniphan Dons are still “our team,” and we love them. It would have been nice to win, but it didn’t happen. Either way, we were proud to see our team improve and move forward. We still loved ’em! You know, no matter what we do, God still loves us. He is watching us and He wants us to be the best that we can. If we do what’s right, He’ll take care of what’s left. God Bless, Courtney