A mile away from returning home from work, my sons called so I would know they were at the Chippewa Valley High School football game tonight. I know how much they miss playing football, even more than I miss rushing home from work to sit in the stands and cheer with the other moms and dads. My sons share so much in common - both of them having been team captains, both of them with incredible leadership skills, physically strong, and both very devoted. Over the course of four years in high school, they grew up on that football field alongside life-long friends, whose parents I often huddled under umbrellas with on cold Friday autumn nights.
At home, my sons are not just brothers, they are the very best of friends. I have watched them grow from little boys into the fine young men they are now. And as they sit in the stands tonight remembering back to their high school years, I cannot help but sit here and reminisce from home, recalling two of my most favorite memories.
After Ian's team had won a big game and the teams were leaving the field, he looked over and saw the captain on the opposing team sitting down, obviously very disappointed. Instead of walking off the field with his team to celebrate their win, Ian turned around and ran across to the opposing team's side, and knelt down and encouraged the kid. He later shared with me what he told him - that it was just a game, and that there would be plenty more. I was so proud of him - still am! I just loved getting a glimpse of his heart that night.
After losing their very last high school game, Ian was CRUSHED. Afterwards, he didn't even want to talk. Rory told me to just go on home, and that he would spend some time with Ian. But on the way to my car, I stopped and talked to another mom as I was leaving, and noticed that after everyone had left, my sons had gone out into the middle of the field and were lying down looking straight up into the night sky. They stayed there a long time. I drove home alone, but I knew they would be okay. A little while later, they called from Coney Island where they went to hang out with their friends. I don't know what that conversation was about. Oh, I could guess, but it doesn't really matter. It's between two brothers, two best friends, two fine young men, and God. That night I knew that no matter what happened, they would always have each other. Having grown up without a father, they learned the role of "brother," and "encourager," and "friend" between themselves quite well! I was so proud of Rory that night, and still am!
Life is different now from the high school days. They are still both team captains - but now as small group leaders, teachers, and mentors of younger boys. Their leadership skills have found Rory pursuing a special education teaching degree, and Ian potentially pursuing a pastoral and communications degree. And just like in high school football - there is still an opposing team, the enemy of their soul, who wants nothing but to steal, kill, and destroy any plans God has for using them. But this is no game, and the teams don't shake hands when it's over. This is a war, a war for souls, and this requires more than bite guards and shoulder pads. This war requires the Armor of God!
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." Ephesians. 6:10-18.
I no longer sit underneath an umbrella with other parents to watch two opposing teams play a sport they love, shake hands after the fourth quarter, and top the night off with a burger and fries. I now fellowship with the people God has blessed me to do life with, and stand in agreement with them to pray for this generation behind us. The enemy has made several recent attempts to steal, kill, and destroy my family - and those of several of my close friends. It seems everyone around me is being attacked at the family level. The enemy knows his time is short, and he is going to try to destroy who and what we hold dearest, our children, and our families. Well, he can't have mine!
Will you stand in agreement with my girlfriends and I tonight? Will you agree to pray for our young men and women? Will you agree to pray for families? Will you agree to pray with us and remember to put on the Armor of God each day? Will you make a conscious effort to remember that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms?
Thank GOD we know how this war ends....... But I really pray you don your Armor and join us in this war.... See you on the front lines!
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