Family and Football

Since I am a third generation Texas Techsan, I have grown up cheering for Texas Tech.  My grandparents lived in Lubbock, so Mom and Dad would go to the games sometimes when we were there visiting and even went to other games when they were played close to Houston.  We grew up listening to games on the radio, watching games on television, and reading the write-ups in the newspaper.  Even though I don’t know much about specific plays and all the details that go with football, I still enjoy the game and seeing the Red Raiders win.

 

During my freshman year at Tech, I vividly remember the week that Texas Tech played Texas.  For the first time that I could recall, I was in a dilemma over a football game.  You see, my cousin, Rick Nabors, played safety for the University of Texas.  All week long I went back and forth about my feelings about the game.  I remember finally deciding that it mattered more that Rick, who is family, have a good game than for Texas Tech to necessarily win.  After that week, I knew it would be all Tech again.  For the record, I did remember that Rick had a great game, but I had to look up on the internet to see who actually won.  And in 1970, Rick and the Longhorns went on to have a 10-1 record.  So he definitely not only had a good game but a great season as well.

 Through the years, I have learned to cheer for other teams along the way, especially where family and dear friends are concerned.  So yes, I have been known to cheer for the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets, the Baylor Bears, and the Texas A&M Aggies along the way.  And now, with Lori being in the family, I’ll even add the University of Kentucky Wildcats.

 

It’s one thing to be willing to cheer for different sports teams, but it’s a whole new ball game when it comes to the “Game of Life”.  Being on God’s team is the one that I want to be on fulltime, with no choice of ever cheering for another, not even for one game.  That’s the team that I want to give my full devotion, time, energy, and affection.  And that’s the team we already know is going to win in the end!

 

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.   I Corinthians 15:58

 

 ¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love.

I Corinthians 16:13-14