Goat scream.
That’s what my kids call my cheer from the sidelines. There’s no mistaking Mama’s scream.
Just imagine the screaming goat from the movie, The Grinch.
If you haven’t seen it, you need to look it up online. Needless to say, it isn’t pretty.
I don’t know how to explain the bubble of joy that fills my lungs and erupts from my larynx when I cheer them on, but whether it’s a basket that my son’s made or the soccer ball hitting squarely into the net at my daughter’s game, I can’t contain it.
For my kids’ (and husband’s) sake, I’m working on toning it down.
What I’ve noticed at their games is the intensity you need to have to make the play. No matter what’s happening around them- a player trying to steal the ball or block their view, they keep their eyes fixed on the ball.
Eye on the ball.
No matter on what side of the court you’re on, eye on the ball.
No matter how big the field is or who many players are blocking you, eye on the ball.
Keep your eye on the ball.
It reminds me of Peter, who on a windy day, was on a boat with a few other disciples.
They see someone walking on the water and are terrified. But, it’s Jesus!
Peter needs proof: “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)
29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
WHEN HE SAW THE WIND, he was afraid.
Peter saw the wind, the chaos, the uncertainty, and that brought fear in.
Had he kept his eyes on Jesus, the faith may have overtaken the fear.
Keep your eye on Jesus.
It also reminds me of the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years, hidden in a crowd that almost crushed Jesus.
People here, people there, noise everywhere.
Luke 8:43-44 says this: “And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.”
She fixed her eyes on Jesus.
Twelve years of misery. Healed in 1 day. In the middle of a crushing crowd.
It reminds me of me.
When I was feeling hopeless and discouraged. “What- if’s” here, distractions there.
I fixed my eyes on Jesus.
Friend, I want to encourage you today: through the wind, through the crowd, through the blaring noise of discouragement, through the tears,
worship through it, read God’s Word through it, pray through it.
FIX your eyes on Jesus.
Then, when you receive your victory, you will not be able to hold back your shout of praise.
~Elizabeth/Betsy
