We had another co-ed softball game tonight. It was the church league and as much fun as it was to win I had to humble myself in front of both teams and ask for forgiveness. Nope, didn't want to but I was experiencing a Holy Spirit moment that I knew I had to follow through or the rest of the night, even week, would have been miserable.
What did I have to apologize for? My stinky attitude. My competitive nature. My overall behavior. I was so angry tonight by some of the things the other team was doing...not letting the girls actually cover the bases they were playing, telling them not to swing when they were up to bat, "helping" the umpire call the game. I just lost it. No, I didn't yell, I didn't charge the pitcher, I didn't argue with the ump. I have this ability to just say subtle things that I knew would get the other team angry. I complained about their "play" yet they were probably using all of this strategy to win the game. That was the bottom line.
But my bottom line is realizing that there are ladies on our team that do not yet know the Lord. And that the young lady playing third is just in high school, listening to this 40 year old complain about a blown call during a co-ed game. So, I knew that I would have to apologize to them and I did. Done deal. Felt better.
Yet, while both teams were huddled up for prayer and our coach asked if there was anything else on our minds, I was nudged (Holy Spirit) to ask for forgiveness for my attitude. Yep, I teared up but something really cool happened. Their coach apologized by saying that "it went both ways tonight." He had a stinky attitude too.
I want to win. I want to still be competitive. But above all of this I need to remember that I am being watched because of who I say I am. I am a Jesus Freak and acting like such a goofball is not going to make anyone want to follow Him. Yes, sometimes our actions are so much more important than our words.
Oh, we did win and it was a very competitive game. But I need to remember to "blow the game before I blow the witness."
Have a great night...
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