The big Friday night High School football game was upon us. Anticipation ran high as we drove off with our friends to see the big game. Joshua's High School football team was in the North Carolina State play offs. Three nights before Dave told Joshua to watch his knees as he felt the opposing team would try to take him out of the game.

On our way to the game we picked up our oldest son David and continued on to the stadium in Greensboro. I was surprised at how many parents made the three-hour trip to support their son's. The first half of the game was great we were winning 13 – 6. Joshua was having another great game most if not all of the rushing yards were gained running behind Joshua. During the first half two of our players, our star running back and center, were shamelessly clipped fortunately the boys recovered and were able to continue playing. Dave did not have a good feeling about this game and I wondered if we could continue our winning streak in the second half. The mood at the game thus far was happy, light and hopeful for another victory that would propel our team into the State Championship Game. They got the ball first in the second half, we stopped them after three tries, and they punted. Two plays later the mood quickly changed. A player remained down on the field after the pile dispersed. We searched for Joshua in the huddle, but it was Joshua who was laid out on the field. Three players hit Joshua, two from the side at the knees and one from behind. We were stunned, in three years playing High School football Joshua had never been injured. The coach and the trainer ran out on the field. When they got Joshua to his feet it was all he could do to walk, he could barely support himself. My heart sank within my chest as he struggled to walk to the side-lines. Not only my heart sank, but the heart of Joshua's team and their parents. Joshua missed the entire second half and we lost. Dave's warning came true. What people lack in skill they will compensate by cheating it happens all the time. However, and strange in a way, God still gloried Joshua. Even though Joshua was weak his weakness revealed the loss of his strength, which was desperately needed for the team to be victorious. God has many ways of glorifying us, and most often they center around a loss to our self. Jesus told the Disciples, “Now My soul is troubled and shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glory Your name,” then a voice came from heaven saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”” (John 12:27-28) Of course Jesus was talking about His death on the cross, but what a strange way for the Father to glory the Son; through pain, suffering, and even loss of life. Well, my friend so too God has His ways He will glorify us. If this was the Master's way, is the servant greater then the Master? I felt so bad for Joshua we all knew he was out for the game as he vainly tried to walk off the weakness and pain from his knee injury. I cried, I wanted to put my arms around him and tell him it will be all right, but he was upset too and the best we could get was a pained look from him. We were hurt and frustrated and so was he. The second half ended quickly. I was hoping the team would play harder, but they were discouraged. We lost to an inferior cheating team. The walk to the car was terrible, the other team and fans were happy and cheering, well I was angry. Dave went with Joshua to the locker room. We were to drive to the locker room and pick them up for the ride home. Cooler heads prevailed when our oldest son David drove to pick them up. I was almost enraged I could have run people over with the car. I was so mad. When we got to the locker room, Joshua felt well enough to ride the team bus home and was walking much better. I am ashamed to admit but I fussed and fumed for the three-hour ride back to Jacksonville. I am sure our wonderful friends, John and Linda Stroud, would vow never to ride with that crazy woman again. I am afraid I did not handle this situation very gracefully. We must be very careful with things of the heart and those things that effect our emotions. If we allow our emotions to rule our words and actions we will be like a city with no ability to be watchful and easily sacked, our words and actions then will rule over us to our shame. “Whosoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down without walls.” (Proverbs 25:28) By the time we got home I quit being angry. I know that no matter what, a good attitude towards our enemy (in this case the three boys who clipped Joshua) is imperative if we desire anything from God. With a trip to Germany looming before Dave and I within the next three days I knew only God could make it so I could leave without worrying about Joshua. I knew I had to change my attitude for God to restore Joshua back to health. But what kind of parent would I be leaving an injured child to visit another child overseas? But wait a minute I need to change my attitude for God to be able to work in my heart. As Dave always says, at the heart of every issue is an issue of my heart.