A good coach - January 11

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 5, 6; PM Psalm 10, 11; Gen. 3:1-24; Heb. 2:1-10; John 1:19-28

This morning, I came across a bit written by Rick Karle, a sports enthusiast and one of the news anchors at the local NBC affiliate, WVTM-13. He was reflecting on the fallout from the National Championship game last night between Alabama and Georgia. In sporting events, coaches and players (who are barely two decades old) must sit in front of reporters and cameras, addressing a barrage of questions about their most recent actions on the field. When the winners are interviewed, it must feel easy to chime in with the accolades and celebration. When the losers are interviewed, it is a much more vulnerable and painful experience. I would dread having to do that.

Karle wrote this description of what he saw unfold last night:

“Bryce Young and Will Anderson were about to leave the podium after making their post game remarks.

Coach Saban said, “Hold up - I’d like to say something.”

He went onto say this:

“These two guys sitting up here, they're not defined by one game. They played great for us all year, they were great competitors, great leaders on this team and they contributed tremendously to the success of this team.

And we would not be here without them.

And both of them take responsibility for the loss, but both of them contributed in a lot of ways, in a positive way, to giving us a chance to win and a chance to be here to have an opportunity to win.

So, I just want to thank them for that and let everybody know how proud I am of these two guys.”

After pouring their hearts out, Coach Saban took time to let Bryce and Will know how much he appreciates them.”

These words of encouragement and praise were not held back for a time when the cameras were turned off, when the press had moved on to write up the play-by-play of how Alabama lost the National Championship game. Nick Saban imparted these words publicly for these young men at a time when they were vulnerable and full of regret, taking the lens wider, not just to the loss at the end of the game, but looking at the road that got them to this point. Saban’s choice to lead in this manner speaks to how he operates as a coach – with high expectations, coupled with compassion for helping these players reconcile losses and learn about responsibility as humans…not just on the football field.

The Old Testament reading for today is known as the story of the “fall”…chapter 3 of Genesis when humans became separated from the glory of God by eating of the fruit on the tree in the middle of the garden. This is a familiar story, and it is not one that I adore. There is much grist and fodder for reflection and refuting, in my opinion. Nevertheless, you may remember that in the fallout of the forbidden snack, God chastises the serpent who tricked the woman, then disciplines the woman, and finally the man. They are punished. God does not stop there, knowing that there is still the tree of life…and if the man and woman could be tricked or tempted to eat of that tree, the hardships ahead would never end. They must be protected from that pain. Fierce angels are stationed around that tree of life and the humans are sent forth from the Garden of Eden. They are not banished. They are let go together, out to the way they are to go next. To till the ground from which they had come.

As I reflect on this ancient story from Judeo-Christian lore, and on a post-game media conference in 2022, the players in each story are filled with regret and their shepherd knows that the experiences are going to shape those people moving forward. It is words of support that keep us going when we are broken.

I pray that God’s grace lifts and guides you today, and may your words and prayers be shaped by that amazing grace.

-- Katherine+

Questions for Reflection

When disappointed, how do you respond?

 What words of encouragement have gotten you through a hard time?

Daily Challenge

Reread Genesis 3. Look for what in this chapter surprises you. What details stick out that you did not know before? What do you wrestle with? What do you take away from this scripture?