was left lying motionless in the middle of the field. An angry opposing player laid out a late hit cheap shot to what we were told was my son’s spinal cord.
The clock showed zero, signifying the team’s victory, but there was no cheering, no celebratory high fives, no ecstatic teenage boys…only silence.
As a parent, you realize, in a moment like this, that we have no guarantees on how much time we have.
The Lord has graciously given our children as His precious gifts to us, but we are merely stewards of these gifts.
Stewarding gifts that I am not worthy of tending is humbling.
We think that we can control situations when they are under our guard.
My tendency is to squeeze.
Squeeze tightly.
It’s such a struggle to hold my hands wide open and offer my children as a living sacrifice.
And in those moments, I am reminded again that through adversity, God’s power is not only realized, but magnified.
Yesterday, His grace was shown to a family that was truly undeserving.
I glanced at my husband across the field and could see tears in his eyes as our son continued to remain motionless.
And then after minutes, which in a momma’s heart seemed like days,
he moved.
Thank you, Lord.
It could have been his time, and I would have had to choose joy for the years that we were given…but, it wasn’t!
And for that I rejoice.
*****************************
And now, with Matthew’s only repercussion being the aching body of an 80 year old, we can regroup, and realize that our sons’ are heading to the Superbowl – the National Championship. The season started with 3,000 teams and it is down to the Final 2.
After a season of tremendous hardship, their dreams are being realized. They were interviewed for the NFL Network and the game will be shown on both the NFL Network and ESPN.
Their measurements were just taken for new uniforms that they are being fitted for especially for Saturday’s game…just like the Pro Bowl.
Win or Lose, they dug deep, and became men.
When they were down 12-0 after the first game, and had emotionally given up, they dug deep, and chose to “Just do it!”
They showed that it’s not about who they are as individuals. There are no winners with a me first mentality….winning only comes from understanding that it’s about the rest of the team.
“Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts. “
Oh Jen that was beautiful! I’m still in tears! O bless his little heart and spine too! WOW, glad he is ok and thanks for giving me perspective! Once again I am in awe!
Oh my goodness Jen, what a story!! Now I want to watch the big game!! 🙂
Praise God your son is okay.
Praise the LORD! That is all I can say right now!
My heart just stopped as I read that-I rejoice with you that there is no lasting damage…
Goodness gracious. I was holding my breath there for a minute. I’m so glad that the Lord protected your son. And I’m super excited about the Superbowl game! Hubby and I will have to try to watch it if we can!
great story! i can’t wait to hear about the big game! i wish it was on tv because all of us bloggers would probably be watching with you!
I am so thankful that he’s ok.
What a beautiful post.
Praise God for His providence and His healing hand, Jen!!! I am so overwhelmed with relief for you that your boy is okay. I can only begin to imagine those hushed moments of uncertainty.
Love and blessings ~ Lisa
Oh gosh I started shaking when I read that….I am so glad he is alright and just a little bit sore. Gosh that would be SCARY! Thank the Lord for his protection that day!
Wow..glad he is doing fine…how scary for a mom! It’s so hard when our little ones are hurt!
-sandy toes
Oh my goodness. I was so nervous your post was going another way. I still have goosebumps. Thank Heavens he’s alright. Hoping he’s feeling better qucikly from the aches and pains…
Merry December! Les
Omgosh Jenn, I am so glad that he is doing okay. Your story was beautiful. A lesson learned with that one. I hope they have a great game Saturday!
Praise God for his protection over your son! Kelly
Oh Gosh! my heart stopped beating when I read that. Thank God he is okay now. Be ready for the superbowl!
Praise God your little guy was okay…
Oh, Jen, I’m so glad he’s okay! You scared me there for a minute! And how exciting for them! I wish we had “real” cable so we could watch the came! We only get what’s called the “antenna package” and can only see ESPN fuzzy and with no sound. Doesn’t quite make the best game watching situation. : )
Oh my goodness! Praise the Lord that he is fine and only sore! You told the story beautifully. Thanks for the reminder that we are just stewards. We do not control their future, as much as we want to be in control. Congratulations to the team!
Oh, this post had me SO worried! I can just imagine how you felt, watching from the stands! Thank God he is ok. Thank you for this reminder of how we do take so much for granted, and we need to express our love to our loved ones daily. Congratulations on the teams success, and good luck in the Superbowl! laurie
So glad that he was ok. I was awfully nervous in the beginning. You handled yourself well. I think I would have been running out onto the field screaming. I would have totally freaked out. (my husband is much better in an emergency than I am)
Good luck Tomorrow on the big game!
WOW! Talk about getting chills! I am glad that he is ok! I can't wait to see the outcome of the superbowl! My son's team in our area won their superbowl at the 7 & 8 year old level. Good luck!!!!
My eyes welled up with tears as I read quickly to the ending. Oh, Jen… Praise God for His hedge of protection around Matthew. Ya’ll have had such a tenuous time getting to this point with the season, and win or lose you are ALL winners. Will M. play Saturday?
We will be watching! J. keeps asking me your status.
PS Please wear “Depends” that day, okay? :)Love you. (maybe the boys should watch “Facing the Giants” tonight??!!)
aww, Jen, wow, that is really powerful. A mothers love is a level that nothing ( besides the Lods love for us) can even compare…. I am just so happy that he is ok… Hugs, LA
Wow! I am crying tears of happiness that your son was okay…and hugging mine a little harder and vowing to remeber not to be short with him! Time is already too short!! Good Luck boys! I am cheering for you!!!
Oh, dear Jen!!!
Amazing how a mothers heart can break.. or freeze in fear in a moment.
I’m so thankful we have the ultimate parent to trust in.
Congrats to his team.
Oh.my.gosh! I think I held my breath the whole time I was reading that. I am SO glad that your son is alright. Football scares me. It’s so rough. Thank you God for letting him be ok! Jill
Thank goodness he’s okay! And congratulations to his team!
Wow… my heart stopped a bit at the beginning of your post. I am so glad he is alright. Thanks be to the Lord!!
Good luck with the Super Bowl!! How wonderful is that!?
Praising God that your son is okay! Stop by my blog, there is something waiting for you there. 🙂
Have a blessed rest of the day!
Oh my goodness! Praise the Lord, and Congratulations, and may the Lord continue to go before you and with you in the next exciting leg of this journey!!!!!
Hey Jen,
So sorry about the Packers Thursday. Whatever you do DON’T look at my latest post, it will just make you mad. 🙂
Hello,My name is Kristin and I have tears in my eyes.My son played football for the first time this year.He is 14 and was too big to play in any of the leagues.We just found one to accept him.He was doing GREAT and in a cheap shot his tibia was broken-a complete fracture.I had to watch my “baby”(all 6’1” 250lbs of him)from the side as he could not walk off of the field.I have had to give so much of this to God.He is supposed to be getting ready to be able to play high school football but instead we are nurturing injuries.Thanks for sharing your incident.Is there any way that we can watch his game?Is he in high school?I hope we didn’t miss it.Kristin