2008 Soccer- Thoughts

Soccer season is upon us again. While it seems like I've been waiting a long time for it to arrive, it also feels like last season just ended yesterday. A new beginning comes with this season; however, we can't soon forget the 2008 team.

Did we have a successful season last year? Tough question to answer. Most people would look at our squad and say, "Wow, this team really underachieved." I've heard that countless number of times since we were eliminated in Regionals. So I began thinking about the question of success. While we were put out long before we were anticipating or hoping for, it is hard to say that our team last year, overall, was not successful.

"Soccer is a microcosm of life." Anyone who has played for Dr. Brower knows that he loves this expression. If this is true, which I fully believe it is, then we had a great season last year. Through soccer, many of our players were affected spiritually, experiencing changes that they will always remember. It humbles me to see the way that soccer was used to break down the hearts of so many of our players and place them at the foot of the Cross. And if you think about it, and put it in perspective of life, one player being brought to salvation is more important than winning the State Championship year in and year out.

So don't try to convince me that last year was unsuccessful. Maybe we were disappointed in the results on the pitch, but that can't distract us from the beauty of the transformations in the lives of the players, myself included. It might sound hard to say, because it is in our nature to associate results with success.

Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound!