Sunny Side Up Jan. 4, 2006 �2006, Kathleen Gibson Standing strong in the hard times During public school my most shining moments glimmered around class spelling bees. Classmates respected my ability to trip off the correct letters in the right order for words like onomatopoeia and diarrhea. They even fought over me when choosing teams. But the prowess I showed in the literary sports of the classroom mattered little out on the ball field. I couldn't catch, kick or throw a ball. Everyone knew that. Worse, when one came my way, it often hit me before I saw it coming. By the time I got glasses in the fourth grade, I was firmly entrenched as a non-player. During the choosing of baseball teams, captains grudgingly accepted me only when they'd exhausted their options. Then they sent me to the furthest outfield, and demanded I 'walk' when it was our turn up to bat. I've avoided team sports ever since - spelling's worked for me, you could say. The thought has more than once occurred to me since those days that our society's fixation with all things sporting has soared way beyond the pastime it once was, well into the outfield of worship. 'The game' wins hands down most Sundays over taking time to attend church, and God isn't even a competitor when there's a cup at stake. Otherwise decent people operating under the influence of a raging need to win - or to see their favorite team conquer - become strangers. Some, even criminals. There are exceptions, thankfully. Not all team coaches are corrupt. Not all players are motivated by money and fame, and not all spectators make sport their god. There are many fine sportspeople who maintain a reasonable balance between insanity and abstinence, between play and outright worship. There are even a few whose lives preach a better sermon from the ball field than many uttered from any pulpit. One of those people coaches the Indianapolis Colts - Tony Dungy, one of the most respected football coaches in the league, and an outspoken Christian. His years of walking his faith have earned him great respect among team members and fellow coaches. Even the media has a soft spot for Coach Tony. Tony Dungy has long modeled what he often urges other sports dads to do - make time for your family. But an unthinkable irony recently occurred; every parent's worst nightmare. His 18 year old son, James, died during the week before Christmas; an apparent suicide. A Christian's greatest test is the way we respond during our most difficult moments. After James's funeral, Mr. Dungy faced the media and calmly made these remarks: "We loved our son very much. He loved us, and we miss him terribly. But we also understand that we have some tremendous promises from God. And God promises to be with us, and he's with us in the great times, he's with us in the tough times. And our family will stand strong." I applaud this man's public grace and boldness, and my heart breaks for his pain. Pray for the Dungys. Respond Home |
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