Tip of My Iceberg

One has played soccer for years and will play in college; the other has a more dramatic bent and has played soccer on and off for a few years.

Friday night they came together, the experienced and the novice, and played on the same team. Working together for a common goal–pun very much intended.

The ending wasn’t what we’d hoped, but I loved watching how Sydney consistently passed the ball to her sister, teaching her as they continued to play. Isley, for her part, was ready to learn, running her heart out, doing what she’d been taught to the best of her ability. She’s one of the smallest on the team, but her size didn’t deter her spunk or stamina.

Sydney was so gracious in leading her team, not to the win, but to grow together as a team, to learn how to work as a unit instead of being a scattering of young women on a field doing what each thought they should be doing. Her unselfishness united the team. They may have lost, but they weren’t blown out of the water. They walked off the field with a sense of having accomplished something special together.

At a time when people seem more intent on separating and isolating themselves from others, by choice or necessity, to choose to come together for a common purpose and hope seems unattainable. Unimaginable.

Many are resistant to learning from others or listening to those who have some wisdom and experience; they want their experience to be their own.

What many of us miss now is the community of people who are honest, genuine, and compassionate toward one another. The opportunity to rely on and lean into one another, share each other’s burdens, and encourage one another through tough times.

The Bible speaks in many places about the need to care openly and honestly about others.

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25

Choosing to be kind to others, to see others as worthy of our attention and goodness may not be an easy decision, but it’s the right one. Caring for one another is a part of God’s nature He’s chosen to invest in each one of us.

We can care if we choose.

“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony.” Psalm 133:1

In truth, we’re all part of the family of man; we’re brothers and sisters to one another. Instead of finding reasons to disagree with one another, what would it look like to try to work together and make an effort to bless each other with our words and attitudes?

Life might be less a competition and more of a community.