MVP

Women of Faith:

We took several members of Stan’s volleyball team to a college game yesterday. Not wanting the girls to miss the opportunity to attend a Sunday church service we invited them to attend with us before the match.

The priest gave a coaching homily for team players –although I am sure that was not really his intention when he prepared it.

He spoke first about “doing your best”—and how we feel when make excuses because we didn’t win.

He spoke about “investing” –toiling and laboring and how we feel when we let the team down, or don’t get the best grade.

He spoke about “trusting”—and how we feel when a team member lets us down.

He spoke about “teaching and sharing”—so that our teammates will grow with us, so that we can win together.

And the priest suggested that instead of asking God, “Why haven’t You answered my prayers?” and “What will You do for me?” We should ask, “What more can I do to give it my all?”

Should God be doing more for me, or should I be doing more for God?

We know what we want and we make our wants very specific. And typically we pray for what we want.

But do we pray for what God wants?

“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4: 6-7

The priest said that we should be kept awake by the question, “Are we giving it our all?”

Do we have the qualities of an MVP?

Do we always do our best, or do we give up on ourselves, the team, or the coach when the going gets tough? Do we pray even when our prayers aren’t being answered the way we want?

Do we invest and practice hard; all the time, not just when it is convenient to us—even when we are tired—even when Sunday church service is not at the most convenient time or place? Do we go the extra step?

Do we treat our bodies with respect; eating, exercising and being nourished by the greatest food of all—the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist?

Do we trust God’s plan? Do we look for and follow the coaches He puts in our lives? Or do we follow coaches who have the easiest way?

Do we teach and share; so that in all of our relationships helping our teammates is a priority, so that we can get better together? Do we become a coach to others and share our God given talents, or do we just use them for our own purpose?

Jesus calls us to follow his example on the cross and to lay down our lives for others. Hopefully we are giving our all, especially to our spouses, children, parents and friends—our teammates in marriage, family and community.

Heavenly Father: ”Help me to do: whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.” Phil 4:8-9 Amen

God has given us the gifts to give it our all and to be his MVP’s—praying for HIS Will (investing); following HIS coaches (trusting); and serving HIM always (sharing).

Make your team better by making yourself better this week. Be God’s MVP!
Blessings, Charlotte