Sunday, July 17, 2005
TOUCHDOWN! -devotions for teens 17thjuly-drew lived along with his mother, and he cared for her like she was a queen. when drew entered high school, he went out for the football team. He was the smallest guy to hit the field, but he had such a postive spirit. the coach decided to put him on the team. Even though Drew sat in the bench for the next four years, his mom made every game.
when drew entered college, he went out for the football team as a walk-on. The other athletes doubted he'd make the cut but to everyone's surprise, he did! The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because he put his heart and soul into every practice and, at the same time, motivated the other atheletes with the spirit and hustle they desperately needed.
Drew sent his mom season tickets for all the college games. She was thrilled once again to be at every game. The coach met him with a telegram. Drew read the telegram abnd fought the lump onn his throat to share he news with his coach. "my mother died this morning, is it all right if i miss practise today?"
The coach stretched his arm around drew's shourlder and said," take the rest of the week off, Son. And dont worry about coming back to the game on saturday. You take all the time you need."
Saturday arrived and drew surprised the team by showing up for the big game. He dressed in silence and madfe his way to the bench. The game was one of the worst they'd ever played. In the third quater, drew approached the coach and begged to play. The coach, figuring he had nothing to lose since they were already so far behind, relented and sent drew to the field.
Suddenly,the game took a turn for the better. This little unknown, who had never before played in an actual game, was doing everything righ. The opposing team couldnt stop him. He ran, blocked and tackled like a star. His team caught up, and the score was eventually tied.
In the closing seconds of the game, Drew intercepted a pass and ran for the winning touchdown.The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. The coach approached him soon afetrward in the locker room. "drew, you were fantastic. i dont get it! your mom just died days ago. How did you do it?"
"Sir, my mom is a christian. she's in heaven now.yes, she came to all my games, but she was blind. Today was the first time she got to see me play, and i wanted to show her i could do it."
yupp.. loved this story when i read it last night. it just showed me how encouraging drew's mother was. and God too, is our biggest cheerleader! yeah.. he's there to support us even though we're sitting on the bench. ((: God believes in you!
