A LOUD MOUTH IN THE CROWD
The U of A ladies lacrosse team defeated USC by a score of 16-14 last week. I enjoy it when the team I’m rooting for wins. I enjoy it even more when people I know are playing, especially when they happen to be my daughter and numerous other girls I coached and know like family.
I’m proud as punch to know those girls… In truth, I want them to win, but more importantly to me, I want them to win in the game of life.
I believe you can tell a lot about a person by the way they play a game. Watching them play reads like a book. You can spot the most aggressive, the ones who are good under pressure, the ones playing mostly for fun, and the ones who are playing to win at all costs.
I spent a good amount of time trying to be a decent role model, instill some sound principles in the girls for playing not just lacrosse, but the game of life. There are no illusions in my persona, every one of those girls understand I’m not perfect. They too can read in me the strengths and weaknesses.
The game was close all night. USC went out to an early lead, but halftime U of A had taken the lead. It seesawed back and forth most of the second half until U of A went up by four with about five minutes to play. The momentum swung back toward USC and they brought it within one with a few minutes left. U of A finally ran the clock out and scored one more time with only seconds left.
I was happy, clapped a little, but was disappointed with a few things… One of them was the officiating. I know enough to know it wasn’t good… It looked like the refs got caught up emotionally by a booing crowd and let it affect their decision making. In that same emotional state, I found my other disappointment; myself.
When the refs were making what I considered bad calls, I yelled… They probably didn’t hear me, but I know the girls playing, as well as the ones I coached sitting around us, heard it loud and clear. Not exactly the perfect role model, the loud mouth in the crowd, but not a new revelation.
Everyone has a weakness – that’s one of mine… When I sense injustice my blood boils. It’s not a slow building like a steam kettle, more like an explosion, a bomb going off.
The truth is I’d have been okay with a good game played and fought hard, refereed fairly, ending in a loss. I’ve been there before, it’s disappointing, but not the end of the world. I believe doing anything with all our might, will, passion, and honor is a step toward a winning life. Numbers can’t describe a true winner in this life, our actions tell that story.
I believe one of the best habits to develop is the habit of perseverance, used to overcome obstacles and difficulties in this life.
Those girls are honing those skills for the rest of their lives. Maybe the next game, I’ll be able to use that same gift to keep my mouth shut?
Probably not a good bet…
bill (cycleguy)
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 6:55 am
I used to be very very vocal at basketball games. So much so that I was embarrassing to my wife and to those around me. I had to be to the ones who went to the church I pastored. I finally decided to go but keep my mouth shut. i started sitting at the top of the bleachers to avoid being too close. I still clapped and yelled when our team scored, but gone was the vehement reaction toward the refs. found out I enjoyed the game a whole lot more also. now I let others be the jerk around me and wonder silently, “was I that annoying?” 🙂
Floyd
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 7:00 am
OUCH! That one hurt Bill, I’m not gonna lie… Yeah, even truths spoken through a yell kinda lose their perspective and reveal the origin of the remarks I guess…
April
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 6:57 am
I try very hard to keep it “nice” when I am at a football game for our local college, but I am very vocal. Last weekend at my son’s basketball game, the other team was playing like it was a football game and the ref was young and not calling anything. I so wanted to yell and shout, but instead I chose to just keep encouraging my son.
Floyd
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 7:02 am
Good for you April. To this point I lack the self control you possess. Man, I was hopin’ to get some understandin’! Just kidding! Thanks for sharing, that’s what I need to hear.
April
Friday, February 17, 2012 @ 7:43 am
😛
Floyd
Friday, February 17, 2012 @ 10:26 am
That’s the nicest thing someone hasn’t said to me about this one! Thanks April!
Hazel
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 6:47 pm
Your response showed one thing and that was that YOU CARED!! Those sitting near you probably wanted to be the loud mouth too, but didn’t want to embarrass you.
Thanks for your comments yesterday, I added them to my post today as an explaination.
Floyd
Thursday, February 16, 2012 @ 6:57 am
Yeah, I definitely care. That’s the problem with passion; it doesn’t always reveal itself in love… I enjoy your insights, I’m thrilled to be a part of them. Thanks Hazel.
Jason Stasyszen
Thursday, February 16, 2012 @ 11:46 am
I don’t know, but the thought of the referees being swayed by the booing crowd stuck out to me. They had a job to do and even though we think they should be above it, people can be swayed by others’ reactions. Makes me want to have a little more grace with those who “I can’t believe they would…” A good ref (or anything) though has to learn to focus and shut out everyone’s opinions to get to the truth (and even then understand that they’re not perfect and can’t see everything). Anyway, I’m pondering this, Floyd! 🙂
Floyd
Thursday, February 16, 2012 @ 12:17 pm
I hear you Jason, I struggle with grace to others who are intentionally hurting others for their own benefit. Just one of my many weaknesses I guess…
Nancy
Monday, February 20, 2012 @ 8:41 am
Reminds me of Joyce Meyer’s book, “Me and My Big Mouth”. Ha ha.
I know that out tongues are tempered by what has already been stored deep inside. I guess that is where the Holy Spirit comes in – in any situation.
He trained you to recognize whatever shortcomings you have already noticed in yourself, so HE can be trusted to motivate you – or any of us for that matter- to live more triumphantly as we move along in life. Some behaviors fall off immediately while others are smoothed out with time. The main thing is that YOU recognized whatever God was trying to show you and now you have the power to change with God’s help.
I know it’s never about other people when God starts telling ME about myself, but I want it to be!
Floyd
Monday, February 20, 2012 @ 9:33 am
Ouch, I was hoping for a little more understanding! Just kidding. I know the truth. I tried to hide from it, but it found me where ever I tried to hide! Thanks Nancy.