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Topic: Ohhh…. (02/04/10)
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TITLE: The Coach's Conundrum | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dana McReynolds
02/09/10 -
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“Hello?”
“Laura, the worst thing has happened, I need your help.”
“David, are you ok? What on earth is wrong?”
“Well, you know James McDaniel hurt his back at practice yesterday and you know the championship game is tonight.”
“Yes?”
“James went to the doctor this morning. He left me a voice mail while I was in my noon meeting. The doctor told him he had to take a leave! I guess he won’t be playing tonight.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, Dave, is that all? Is that really the worst thing that could happen?”
“Yes! We’re up against Broadway Baptist. There’s no way we can win without our star center.”
“David, you are a marvelous coach and you’ve worked wonders with the sports ministry, but winning isn’t everything. You can’t let your competitiveness take over and loose sight of the opportunity to bring the true Message to these kids.”
“Oh, I know you’re right, Laura, but they’ve worked so hard. Please do me a favor and try to think of anyone in the church who could fill in.”
“Ok, I’ll let you know if I come up with anything. For now, take a deep breath and try not to overreact.”
“Talk to you later,” Dave sighed as he hung up the phone. He knows his wife is right. Dave Taylor has always been the most competitive player on the court, field, track, even the Monopoly board. A love for God and sports led him directly to sports ministry. While it is a rewarding job, he has to keep a close guard on his heart and his motives for winning.
“I’ve got it!” Dave was thrilled with his revelation as he dialed the phone.
“Hello?”
“Laura, what about the Nealey family, don’t they have an exchange student from Lithuania?”
“Yes, Dave, but she’s a female,” sighed Laura.
“Well, how tall is she?”
“Dave! Listen to yourself.”
“Ok, ok, thanks honey, I’ll see you later.”
Dave decided to finish up at the office and shoot some hoops. Some of his most intimate conversations with God occur in a quiet gym. The comforting sound of a bouncing ball allows him to relax and truly meditate on the Word of God. The scripture that weighs heavily on his heart is from Philippians. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Dave is humbled as he is reminded of the only Trophy he should be striving to win.
The gym is no longer quiet as the championship game draws near. Dave is going lead his players in a time of prayer and devotion before the first muscle is stretched. Just as they are ready to start, James McDaniel appears. Dave welcomes him to the group, “Hey, James, glad you came to support us tonight. I know it’ll be hard for you to watch from the sidelines.”
“What? Coach, have I been benched?”
“Well, your back and all, the doctor said to take a leave.”
“Sure I took one this morning,” explained James as he pulled a bottle of pills out of his pocket, “Doc said I could take another if I needed to.”
“Ohhh…., Aleve , of course,” Dave laughs, “hey, never mind, let’s get ready to play.”
“Uh, Coach? Who’s the tall girl?”
Philippians 3:14, NIV
Aleve is an over-the-counter pain reliever produced by Bayer Healthcare
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Be careful to stay in one tense. You switched from past to present and back a few times. For this type of story, past tense would work best.
Your ending--not just the twist, but the whole thing--was priceless.
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