Sydney has played soccer at Taylor University for her entire college career. It’s been an opportunity to make new friends and engage in a sport she loves. We were there to celebrate her senior game, with family and friends from Orlando, Colorado, and Pennsylvania, to honor her and the other senior players who had committed all this time to the beautiful game.
The remarkable way we could encourage her so well is that her last name is Reddy. “Reddy to Rumble.” “Are you Reddy for it?”
Sydney scored twice during this game, zingers that no keeper could have stopped. A third shot pinged off the post. The team won, and the cheers were deafening.
We were loud. Syd heard us from the field. On top of that, we made shirts and signs, showing up with enthusiasm, proud to be part of the posse to commemorate this occasion: her senior game.
We were present for this significant part of Sydney’s life.
Showing up for people in the best and worst times adds value to the occasion. It creates memories that remind people they weren’t alone in these instances. People shared their joy or grief with purpose.
Helen Keller, an American author and lecturer, lost both her sight and hearing at an early age. Some wanted to institutionalize her because of her shortcomings. Anne Sullivan worked with her to help her understand that objects had names. In her world, being alone would have been understandable. But her life didn’t reflect that. She once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” She understood that life is now, and that doing what you can to experience it to the greatest degree is the gift we give ourselves.
Jesus understood what it meant to celebrate all people. He came to earth to share the truth and beauty of God with people everywhere, offering them the chance to restore their relationship with God. He surrounded Himself with twelve men from various backgrounds, one of whom He knew would betray Him. He poured His life into these men, teaching and loving them so they would understand the gospel and be able to share it with others.
However, when He was arrested, had a mock trial, and was sentenced to death on the cross, His followers fled. They were afraid of being killed alongside their leader.
At the crucifixion, after He had been nailed to the cross, Jesus looked down to see His mother, a few of the women who had faithfully followed Him, and John, the youngest disciple. “When Jesus saw His mother standing there beside the disciple He loved, He said to her, ‘Dear woman, here is your son.’ And He said to this disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from then on this disciple took her into his house.’” John 19:26-27. At the hardest time of His life, Jesus saw that His mother and this beloved disciple had shown up. They refused to let the threats of those in power keep them from being present with the One they loved. They were there for Him.
That wouldn’t have been easy, nor would there have been an assurance of their safety. It cost them. But being there was life-changing for both Mary and John.
When we showed up to celebrate Sydney, it was from hearts of love and a sense of pride. We might not have had our lives changed by attending a college soccer game, but we invested in important relationships. We were present for our girl.
Who do you need to show up for? Are you willing to count the cost for someone you care for?
Leave a Reply