FIRST PRIZE
image courtesy of photobucket.com
The first prize ribbons and medals were like magic… I thought to myself, “I gotta get me some of those”! I recall the ribbons and medals my brother had when I was very young. I thought they were about the coolest things ever, the trophies? Forget about it… They were beyond magic, almost supernatural. The gold covered plastic was more valuable than the real thing.
I dreamed of the day I too might have a collection of mementos to showcase my abilities. I think that describes many of us, we love to win, be recognized for standing out at what we do. We want to be the best.
The trait is certainly more prevalent in men, but women carry the trait I think, just for different reasons sometimes. Although the world has some less than perfect parents, it’s rare to find a parent, especially a mom, who doesn’t care if they are a good parent or not.
There could be thousands of reasons to want to be the best, but I suspect some of the most popular reasons play to the weakness of our flesh. While difficult to measure, some of those less than beautiful traits can be insecurity, pride, ego, and all the things that fuel our selfish nature.
Our society has played into the weakness of the flesh and made the issue even worse. We celebrate the selfish and prideful while we belittle the humble and often honest. All the trophies, medals, ribbons, and grand prizes made up in the form of clothes, jewelry, cars, and houses, never fully seem to satisfy.
The lasting gratification we seek in the material things of this life are elusive, like catching the wind inside a cup. The majority of people keep chasing that illusive prize in hopes that the laws of nature might suddenly change and they will find satisfaction in the material things of this world.
Pleasing the flesh always seems to come up short, finding peace and satisfaction in our soul is the result of finding out that only God can quench the desire He created inside us.
I ended up with some trophies, medals, and ribbons, not near as many as I wanted nor nearly as many as my big brother, but I’m pretty sure if I would have ended up with as many or even more, they would have ended up in the same place most of the rest of my mementos did; the trash can…
I’ve learned the best part of those prizes was the process of using the gifts and skills given by God to try to do the best I could. In the end that’s the real prize, not the piece of gold covered plastic given afterward. I did manage to save a few of those pieces of plastic for mementos sake, but they are for what I didn’t even participate in.
The trophies I treasure are the ones given to me by the girls I coached. I tried to give the girls an understanding of the gift of hard work and where the real gratification comes from. The trophies that declare the importance of others and a proper life perspective are the ones worth keeping.
It’s a pretty interesting thought; when we give ourselves, we find ourselves… but never in a ribbon, medal, or trophy…
Monday, February 13, 2012 @ 2:54 am
I used to have a lot of trophies. Don’t ever remember getting a ribbon of any kind (I was never in 4-H or anything like that). But I used to display my trophies. then they got to be dust collectors so I put them in a box. Then they found the trash can when I realized they weren’t worth spit. I cringe to think of how much they used to mean to me. I’m glad that I have something much more precious that will last throughout eternity.
Monday, February 13, 2012 @ 6:56 am
Thanks Bill, that sums it up quite nicely…
Monday, February 13, 2012 @ 2:54 am
Forgot Floyd: like your new look.
Monday, February 13, 2012 @ 6:58 am
Thanks Bill. April from Blessed Beyond Measure did it for me.
Monday, February 13, 2012 @ 7:29 pm
Stunning new look Floyd, I’m seeing some homespun normality here, Floyd style! This is perfect for you. Kudos to April! I love, that you love, your trophies from coaching. And as you said, it’s not really about the destination, but the journey that led to getting ribbons and trophies.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 7:01 am
Thanks Audra. I have to remind myself that it is about the journey, so many blessings if we’re looking with the right perspective.
Monday, February 13, 2012 @ 7:31 pm
Couldn’t help but add something. When I was growing up, my dad had a trophy shelf in our family room. He was very proud of them. One day I came home from school and all the trophies were gone. My dad had moved out. I was so shocked. Then, several months later, the trophies were back. They weren’t arranged they way they had been and that really bothered me. Then a couple years later, on Father’s Day weekend, the trophies were gone, this time forever. Sometimes I wonder if he still has them and how they make him feel today……
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 7:03 am
My first thought without knowing all the details is that the best trophies are the living trophies from God all around us. You and your dad’s family were his trophies, just as our children are ours. Thanks for that thought, that kinda puts things in a different light.
Monday, February 13, 2012 @ 8:05 pm
Our school gave out felt badges with our School initials that we could stitch on our sweater. They were for a certain number of days attendance of after school sports. My last job, they gave out computer appreciation certificated that they had printed and everyone got something just because. Really who cares about a piece of paper. At the end of time as we know it, there will be rewards handed out. Some for faithfulness, some for going the distance, others for ministry and surprize surprize, some for those who stayed behind and prayed and gave!!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 7:04 am
Well said Hazel. Our prize is for a race well run…
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 1:35 am
The award I never quite understood was the one for perfect attendance! I never wanted that one– at all. I’m all grown up and send my kids to school and still can’t figure why people strive for that — that’s just me, I guess. Some of my best days at the beach happened because I didn’t go to psych 101. Oh well. I do, however agree that we all spend a lot of energy striving and in the end, the trophies on the shelf only need dusting. “The lasting gratification we seek in the material things of this life is elusive, like catching the wind inside a cup.” very true and well said, my friend.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 7:06 am
I never did get that award for perfect attendance either! Big surprise! We should spend as much time dusting our souls. Great thoughts. Thanks Alyssa.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 11:07 am
I still remember the moment when I decided to throw away all my old trophies (ashamedly, it wasn’t that many years ago). I had already moved them in boxes from one house to another several times before I finally realized I was only holding on to them out of pride. I’m not implying everyone does for that reason, but that was my reason. And because of that, I had to get rid of them.
Now if I could only throw away all the invisible trophies I hold onto because of pride! I’m afraid those continue to get moved from house to house with me. Lord, have mercy.
This is another insightful post by you, Floyd. Thanks!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 11:32 am
Thanks Lisa. You’re right, I too carry some of those old pride shaped trophies with me as well. They seem to have some kind of supernatural spirit super glue don’t they? In our weakness we hang onto them, not fully wanting to let them go… Great thoughts.