CROWNED WINNERS

For a couple decades I coached a variety of church basketballteams.  We won several championships with the girls' teams, but one of my favorite teams were the "Mini Bantams."  The team ranged in ages from 7 to 9.  Actually, the league was supposed to be 8 to 10 year olds, but we didn't have enough players to fill the roster, so we had to drop the age limit down to 7. 

We were given "hand-me-down" jerseys, which hung down to some of the players' knees.  (What a "rag-tag" looking team were we!)  We looked like little Davids trying to wear Saul's armor--going into battle to challenge the giant team of Goliaths!

The boys never won a game...BUT I couldn't have been more proud of them!  Why?  Because they had BIG HEARTS.  In my eyes they were WINNERS!  They gave it their ALL!

All I ever asked them to do was try to do their best and try to improve.  Each week they got better.  Each boy's skill level increased as the season progressed.  Each one gave it their all.  They ENDURED...they PERSEVERED...they played as a TEAM.  No "hot-shots"...no "ball-hogs."  They followed the rules, they never quit or complained, they listened to instructions.

Many years later I learned about how some of them had become successful in business, had achieved many awards, were outstanding citizens, and--more importantly--continued in their Christian faith.  The boys taught me how to play the game and how to stay in the game even when it [appeared] we were losers. 

• Don't give up!  Give all that you have to God. 
• In due season you'll receive the winner's crown.
• Daily compete with yourself by trying to become more Christ-like. 
• Be a player on His team and you'll be a winner.

You can't change the whole world--
                   but you can allow Christ to change YOU!