Thoughtful Actions

 

Needing only eight points to pass Kelsey Plum as all-time leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball, it was pretty evident that Caitlin Clark would break the record in the Iowa Hawkeyes game against the Michigan Wolverines on February 15, 2024.  Much to the delight of the fans in the sold-out arena, Caitlin accomplished the feat in the first few minutes of the game with a layup, basket from the 3-point line, and the record breaking shot from the Iowa logo.  Clark scored so quickly that Iowa coach Lisa Bluder didn’t even have time to call a celebratory timeout before her team was at the other end of the court on defense.  Caitlin also broke the record for the most points scored in an Iowa women’s game with 49 points.  In anticipation of the scoring record, the Iowa Athletic department had interviewed and videoed Caitlin’s mom, dad, two brothers, coaches, teammates, and other significant people in her life to be shown at the end of the game.  T-shirts with “22” and “You break it, you own it” were given to the coaches and players, streamers came floating down, the video was shown, and a special basketball commemorating the event was presented to Clark.  After the game, there was another very thoughtful gesture.  Coach Lisa Bluder shared, “Michigan came in here in a tough scenario.  They’re playing in a tough situation.  I thought they played a great game.  They gave Caitlin a gift after the game and every one of those players wrote her a note.  I am so glad we have people in the Big Ten that understand the importance of this and the importance for women’s basketball.  I just think Michigan, that was a really classy way for them to handle this.  I appreciate Kim Barnes Arico for what she did.”

An older lady in Celeste, Texas, recently called the high school to share a story about 5 of their students.  She had gone to dinner at IHOP.  The young men saw her sitting alone and asked her if she would like to join them at their bigger table.  After an enjoyable dinner and conversation, the boys paid for her meal.  The lady at the school expressed, “She was impressed by our young men and that her heart was touched by their kindness and manners.  She asked me if I would allow her to come up to the school so that she could bring the 5 young men a Valentine’s balloon.”  The school representative continued, “Any school should be proud when their young men and women go out into the world and make a positive impact.”  Koby Brown, Aiden Eudy, Tanner Minter, Toby Minter, and former graduate Brendan Carter are to be commended for their thoughtful deed.

 

May we also look for ways to express thoughtful actions that encourage, motivate, thank, and make the world a better place for others.

 

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16

From Tender Hearts

Andrew May, 7 years old, goes to Buckalew Elementary School in Conroe, Texas.  Since Andrew has Down Syndrome, he spends part of the day in specialized learning and the rest of the day with the regular student population.  For several months, Andrew has been practicing and working hard at making a basket.  One day, during recess, Margarita Steinberg, a teacher’s aide, noticed something special happening and began recording on her phone.  Six different times the other kids would dribble and pass the ball to Andrew so he could try to shoot a basket.  On the seventh attempt, Andrew made the basket!  Ms. Steinberg recounted, “When he did, nearly a dozen students erupted in cheers like they’d just won the NBA Championship.  May ran around the blacktop, cheering and pumping his hands in the air.”   When Andrew’s mother saw the video, she responded, “We all need a cheering squad like that.  That is what just touched us so much was to see those boys in action when they didn’t even know they were being filmed.”

Policeman Brian Prehoda was taking a 2:00 coffee break.  As he walked into the lobby, a little girl ran up to him to give him a high 5.  Afterwards she shouted, “Thanks for saving our lives!”  Jasmine even asked to have her picture made with Officer Prehoda.  He responded, “To say she made my year is an understatement.”

 

As part of a giving campaign, Olivia approached a grade school boy at a department store and told him he could choose whatever he wanted from the store in a certain amount of time.  Olivia and the boy’s mother were both surprised at his choices.  Instead of finding items for himself, the boy picked out things to give to foster children.

 

While shopping, a little girl came up to Josh Yurman and handed him a fuzzy ball.  He asked the girl if she had found the ball or if it was hers.  The girl responded, “I’m giving out warm fuzzys to everyone today to make their day better.” 

 

Children have much to teach us on how to love, honor, and serve others from tender hearts.  And kudos to parents, teachers, friends, and family who are modeling, teaching, and giving opportunities for kids to put into practice what they are learning and desiring to express.

 

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

1 John 3:11

 

Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

Super Bowl LVIII

Key athletes, playing in Super Bowl LVIII, continue to use the game of football as their platform to share about their relationship with Jesus.  Recently, Peyton Garland wrote an article, for Crosswalk.com, mentioning 8 Christian athletes who will be playing in the football game this Sunday.  Below are some highlights.

#15 Patrick Mahomes   Kansas City   Quarterback

“My life legacy isn’t wrapped in my career, but in my relationship with Jesus.  I’ve been able to come back and really develop this relationship that’s been able to let me go out there and play free and not worry about the moment of the success and or the failure.  So that’s been my walk and I’ll continue to walk and do whatever I can to strengthen my relationship with Him.”

 

#13 Brock Purdy   San Fransisco   Quarterback

“My identity isn’t in football.  I know who I am and God if you want me to do great with (football), great.  If not, all right, let’s go do something else, wherever you need me.”

 

#23 Christian McCaffrey   San Francisco   Running back

McCaffrey is constantly praying on the field.  “My main prayers are not only for all of the athletes’ safety, but that they play the game in an ‘honorable way.’  I realize the incredible gift I have been given and want my prayer life to reflect a heart of gratitude.”

 

#7 Harrison Butker   Kansas City   Kicker

“[God] is the most important thing.  If I didn’t have faith in God, I don’t think I’d be the father I am, the husband I am, the kicker I am.  That kind of sets the tone and everything else falls under that, but that gives me the strength to do everything I need to do.  I know I’m a child of God and He’s going to protect me.  And maybe that protection comes with some suffering, but that’s what’s best for me and I gotta accept that suffering and grow as best I can with that.  I always pray for God’s will to be done.”

 

#91 Arik Armstead   San Francisco   Defensive end

More than all the awards, stats, achievements, and nominations, Armstead prizes, “my faith in Christ.”  Bob Bailin, his pastor, says “[Armstead] is such a genuine believer in Christ that he’s really going to do it his way.  He’s going to do it Christ’s way.”

 

#32 Nick Bolton   Kansas City   Linebacker

Bolton thanks Christ for the platform he has been given.  “I don’t think a lot of things in life would happen without God.  God blessed me with the ability to have my mom, my family, my support system around me.  I grew up with both my parents.  A lot of people don’t have that opportunity.”

 

#31 Tashaun Gipson   San Francisco   Safety

Tashaun is quick to give God glory.  “It’s just glory to God because I came into the right situation at the right time.  And everything just worked out in God’s plan.  Without him, this wouldn’t be possible.”

 

#38 L’Jarius Sneed   Kansas City   Cornerback

Three games into his rookie season, Sneed fractured his collarbone.  He used that time to grow in his faith with God.  “First of all, I started off by praying with God.  It was hard on my mental, you know, how I started off.  Plus, me trying to come back and maintain that same image that I put out.  But with God, anything is possible.  So I kept my faith in God.”  After a recent game Sneed tweeted, “God I thank you.”

 

And may we be faithful to use the platforms God has given each one of us to share His message and bring Him glory.

 

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16