I have only been a
Tim Tebow fan for about a week now. I know. It’s ghastly. Sometimes I wondered
if I was the only 20-something, single, Christian female in America that did
not want to marry him. And well, now that’s hindsight. (Timmy & Co. – if
you happen to be reading this, and your name is trademarked, please don’t sue me for infringement or some other
scary legal word – marry me instead. Doesn’t that just sound like more fun?)
Tim Tebow fan for about a week now. I know. It’s ghastly. Sometimes I wondered
if I was the only 20-something, single, Christian female in America that did
not want to marry him. And well, now that’s hindsight. (Timmy & Co. – if
you happen to be reading this, and your name is trademarked, please don’t sue me for infringement or some other
scary legal word – marry me instead. Doesn’t that just sound like more fun?)
I lived in his
hometown before and throughout the inception of Tebow-mania. I couldn’t stand
the sound of his name, or the fact that most of the guys I knew had bigger
crushes on him than me. I also found my mother’s persistent statements of,
‘Sara, do you know Tim Tebow? He does mission work. You should marry him,’
pathetic.
hometown before and throughout the inception of Tebow-mania. I couldn’t stand
the sound of his name, or the fact that most of the guys I knew had bigger
crushes on him than me. I also found my mother’s persistent statements of,
‘Sara, do you know Tim Tebow? He does mission work. You should marry him,’
pathetic.
Last Saturday night
I read an article in The Washington Post
that, for lack of a better word, converted me. Can I get an AMEN for a positive
male role model in the professional sports industry?! I found myself proud of a
man I don’t even know, and just happy to see a young male who has swept our
nation by storm that remains standing on a sound, biblical platform. Fast-forward
to Sunday evening; the end of a long, successful ministry scouting trip for
Adventures Youth throughout Philadelphia and Western Pennsylvania. What better
way to celebrate than breaking in my newfound fandom of Tebow at a wings joint
with flat-screens bigger than my bed?
I read an article in The Washington Post
that, for lack of a better word, converted me. Can I get an AMEN for a positive
male role model in the professional sports industry?! I found myself proud of a
man I don’t even know, and just happy to see a young male who has swept our
nation by storm that remains standing on a sound, biblical platform. Fast-forward
to Sunday evening; the end of a long, successful ministry scouting trip for
Adventures Youth throughout Philadelphia and Western Pennsylvania. What better
way to celebrate than breaking in my newfound fandom of Tebow at a wings joint
with flat-screens bigger than my bed?
I locate an empty
spot at the bar smack in front a TV airing the Broncos game. Situating myself,
I begin to make small talk with the man next to me. I think he asked if I was a
Tebow fan. I remember reprogramming myself from my previous general response of
eye rolling, to enthusiastically going on a rant about the article I read the
night before, and how I made it out that night just to cheer Timmy on. It’s
clear that this gentleman appreciates Tebow for similar reasons – we are both
stoked to see a young male in the spotlight that gives glory to the Lord.
spot at the bar smack in front a TV airing the Broncos game. Situating myself,
I begin to make small talk with the man next to me. I think he asked if I was a
Tebow fan. I remember reprogramming myself from my previous general response of
eye rolling, to enthusiastically going on a rant about the article I read the
night before, and how I made it out that night just to cheer Timmy on. It’s
clear that this gentleman appreciates Tebow for similar reasons – we are both
stoked to see a young male in the spotlight that gives glory to the Lord.
Soon we find
ourselves in a conversation about mission work…and how we both have served in
missions on the same island in the Philippines. Next we begin discussing this
man’s passion for the underserved and his heart to reach out and do more. He
tells me about the 11 different children he sponsors all over the world, and
his desire to be more involved in missions. I ventured out for some wings and Tebow-gazing,
and ended up in one of the most encouraging, life-breathing conversations with
a complete stranger I’ve had since the Race. This is something I like to call a
divine appointment. I have struggled with the second part of this tale going in
many different directions because of the paths the Lord directed me on during
this particular trip.
ourselves in a conversation about mission work…and how we both have served in
missions on the same island in the Philippines. Next we begin discussing this
man’s passion for the underserved and his heart to reach out and do more. He
tells me about the 11 different children he sponsors all over the world, and
his desire to be more involved in missions. I ventured out for some wings and Tebow-gazing,
and ended up in one of the most encouraging, life-breathing conversations with
a complete stranger I’ve had since the Race. This is something I like to call a
divine appointment. I have struggled with the second part of this tale going in
many different directions because of the paths the Lord directed me on during
this particular trip.
Bill is just one
story. There is also the contact I had in South Africa during month seven of my
Race. I deemed him a saint for dealing with the issues my team was navigating
at the time. What do you know, I had the chance to spend time with him not only
seeking reconciliation for the burden I had carried off the field regarding his
perception of the World Race, but really getting to know him as a person, on
several different occasions while I was in Philadelphia. He is no longer in
South Africa, but is pursuing a graduate degree at Eastern University in
Philadelphia.
story. There is also the contact I had in South Africa during month seven of my
Race. I deemed him a saint for dealing with the issues my team was navigating
at the time. What do you know, I had the chance to spend time with him not only
seeking reconciliation for the burden I had carried off the field regarding his
perception of the World Race, but really getting to know him as a person, on
several different occasions while I was in Philadelphia. He is no longer in
South Africa, but is pursuing a graduate degree at Eastern University in
Philadelphia.
Or – I could really
dish about the roommate I had in college right before I became a Christian. I
could tell you the juicy, scandalous, heart-wrenching tale about how we parted
ways six years ago, certain I would never speak to her again because of how
betrayed I felt at the end our friendship, and how horrible I treated her in
return. I spent last Saturday night reuniting with her and meeting her beautiful,
young family. My hotel room just happened to be in her hometown in Western
Pennsylvania.
Wait – there is more. The fascinating young man I met
my last day in Philadelphia while I was swinging by a small pub off the beaten
track for a late lunch. Chris. A self-proclaimed atheist born and bred in
Philly, he told me some amazing tales about growing up there, and I heard about
some dark things that are currently a part of his life. A good hour of
listening and vulnerability from both ends brought us to a point where Chris
told me, ‘I hope you’re not offended – I don’t believe in God, but I believe in
people like you that actually give a shit about the world and are out there
doing something about it. That’s what it should be like, there shouldn’t be
pretense of religion or a set of rules, it should be about everyone loving
their neighbor, serving the greater good, and giving glory to the one who
watches over us all.’
my last day in Philadelphia while I was swinging by a small pub off the beaten
track for a late lunch. Chris. A self-proclaimed atheist born and bred in
Philly, he told me some amazing tales about growing up there, and I heard about
some dark things that are currently a part of his life. A good hour of
listening and vulnerability from both ends brought us to a point where Chris
told me, ‘I hope you’re not offended – I don’t believe in God, but I believe in
people like you that actually give a shit about the world and are out there
doing something about it. That’s what it should be like, there shouldn’t be
pretense of religion or a set of rules, it should be about everyone loving
their neighbor, serving the greater good, and giving glory to the one who
watches over us all.’
Chris didn’t know it
at the time, but he just shared the gospel with me.
at the time, but he just shared the gospel with me.
God’s favor showed
up big time for me on this trip in the form of relationships. We don’t always
experience favor in our relationships. Sometimes, the second half of the Greatest Commandment can feel like the
biggest hurdle to overcome. I am so thankful for new chances, second chances, and
finding God’s favor through relationship.
Julio, Bill,
Clynton, Michelle, Chris – I saw God in each of you last week. Thank you for
giving me a chance to experience more of His favor in my life.
Clynton, Michelle, Chris – I saw God in each of you last week. Thank you for
giving me a chance to experience more of His favor in my life.
