We watched the Patriots vs. Seattle game together a few weeks ago. OK. NOT the entire game, the last 10 minutes. (I was at a basketball game, he was on a horse - we were told not to waste our time with the first three quarters... you know the rest)
I have said for years, it doesn't matter who the "top dog" is, it is the team that shows up with the determination and desire to win who gets the W. I believe it, in all instances. I believe in football, baseball, track and whatever else, it is the one with true desire to do their best and excel who wins the game. It was no surprise to me when Seattle made their incredible come back in the end of the fourth quarter. I've seen this happen over and over and over again when a team is behind, counted out and everyone is picking up to go, the team with determination bring it full circle. And every single time, even when it's not my team there is a little spot in me that radiates for the team with the biggest heart!
When I saw this quote this morning, I was thinking about myself. And then the Patriots football team. I'm not going to sugar coat it, I think they deserve to lose on Sunday and I hope they are given a huge piece of humble pie to boot! Here is why ~ I don't believe for one minute that Tom Brady was innocent in the cheating in "Deflate Gate". He handled each and every one of those footballs and for him to play dumb and act like he didn't have any idea, well... all my respect for him LOST. My respect for the entire team tainted. Not only did the person responsible for deflating those balls, deflate the balls ~ but they stole the joys and excitement of what should be an awesome time for that team. Robbed them of joys and celebration of winning honestly. Now as they prepare for Sunday's game the focus isn't on a great time, but on a team that clearly cheated.
Yesterday I shared with someone I'd have a much greater respect for the person who did it if they came forward and admitted, I did wrong. Of course they backlash would be great, but honestly the integrity in saying "I did wrong" is far greater a than saying nothing at all. So disappointing on so many levels.
While I was running last night, I set the clock for 60 minutes with a desire to run 5 miles. I set the timer (no one saw me) and I determined my goal (I shared with no one) and I hit GO. At 3.1 miles it went through my head ~ good job, go ahead and stop - move on to something else. You had a good pace and you could maybe lift weights or something. I kept running. And still no one knew my time or my distance, no one knew my desire but me. I could have stopped, and moved on to something else. And let me share, I really wanted too! I do not like being on a treadmill going no where. BLEK But, I had a goal, I'd set the course out in my mind before I began and I was holding myself accountable. I wanted to push myself, to accomplish my goal and to high five myself in the mirror when I was done. (And I did!) When the machine stopped it read 4.98 WHAT .... I didn't hope off and say close enough. I turned the machine back on and finished the .2.
PASSION, DETERMINATION, CHARACTOR and INTERGIRITY nudged me to turn that machine back on. It wasn't ESPN over my shoulder, a friend peering at the screen or a light and whistle that would blow if I were .2 shy of the five miles. It was because seeded inside me is Jesus. And I know that when I set out to run the race, I'm not just running my race, I'm running the race. And I believe in all things, we should run/work/live as though we are living for Him. Seeded in me is the PASSION to do the right thing when no one else is looking. Maybe someone could introduce that concept to the Patriots.
"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord" Psalm 139:1-4 GO SEAHAWKS!