Since Nathan was 3, he and James have had season tickets to the University of Memphis football games. It’s been a father/son tradition for the past 9 years. When they go to games, Abigail and I usually do “girl stuff” – like shop, spend time with friends, or do special things together at home.But lately, she’s had an awakening to sports, and wanted to see the Tigers she’s rooted for all of her life play. So, we decided to make it a family affair. We packed our Memphis blues and headed to my mom’s for the weekend. and went to the game on Saturday. It was so much fun watching everything from Abigail’s eyes.
James: “Nathan, we get here a whole lot faster when it’s just the two of us, don’t we?”
Nathan: ” ‘Cause we don’t have to stop and take pictures everywhere.” (I had to document the trip, you know…)
and my observation: “This is awesome! Why haven’t we done this sooner??? and When can we do it again!?!”
Our family loves the Memphis Tigers so much – not because they win, nor because they’re popular. We love them because the Dad in the house loves them. Many Saturdays we’ve watched him come away from a losing game aggravated about the mistakes, but already hopeful about the next game. Even in losing seasons, he’s never walked away from being a fan, and because he hasn’t, neither have we.
But, more than he loves the Tigers, he loves the Lord, and has given us a beautiful picture of being a faithful follower of God. Many times we’ve watched James come away from an experience that is frustrating or discouraging, and although he may be aggravated, his faith and hope in the Lord doesn’t waver. My dad was like that, too. They both have modeled a faithful consistent walk with the Lord for their wives and children to follow.
In Memphis sports, and in real life too, I’m so grateful to have a living example of faith. When I want to give up on difficult situations or people, I remember the faithfulness of those around me, and I’m challenged to press on. I don’t want to be a “fair weather fan”. In the good seasons and the not-so-good ones, I want to be a faithful follower of Christ – so much that He decorates everything about my life – and all who see me coming know that He is the one I’m for!
“Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].” Heb. 11:1 (Amplified).
I’ll leave you with these parting words on behalf of my Memphis man:
