Sydney was so excited. It was her first soccer game. She didn't seem to care too much about the game, but she loved her purple jersey, she loved having her own Gatorade and, most importantly, she loved the fact that she would get a post-game snack. You see, after two seasons of sitting by and watching her big brother get a special snack after each soccer game, it was her turn. She was an athlete, she had kicked the ball (or at least made an attempt), and you better believe that she was ready for snack time.
But this story doesn't end well. Our rookie coach did not know about soccer's post-game sacraments. There were no juice boxes or Caprisuns on this day. There were no Fruit Roll Ups or Rice Krispie Treats after this game. When my little girl ran to her coach with hands outstretched, she was met with a simple high-five. And this was not acceptable. She uttered four words with passion and conviction, "Where is my snack?"
I've come to the realization that my daughter is only playing soccer for the snack. She doesn't care about exercise. She doesn't care about teamwork. She doesn't care about winning. She wants sugar. No, let me rephrase that: she demands sugar.
I think that sometimes we come to God this way. We aren't particularly interested in sacrifice or the church or the lost. We want our snack! We'll play in the game if we must, but we're playing for one reason. The first chance we get, we come running with our hands outstretched...what are you going to give me? And He better have something good.
Maybe it's time to put childish ways aside. Maybe it's time to think about the team first. Maybe it's time to focus on words like sacrifice...purpose...mission...others. Maybe it's time to worry less about what we can get and concentrate more on what we can give.
Sydney has an excuse...she's four.
What's your excuse?
(originally posted March 6, 2009)
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