This past week has been a whirlwind of events. I coach 8th grade volleyball, and a week ago tonight we played the best I have ever seen us play…and we were 5-0. I was thrilled.
We had a great practice Wednesday, and then got ready to play Thursday. I walked into the practice gym to talk with them before the game, and they said ‘Coach Callison, why don’t you pray…” So I did.
And…..we LOST. Bad. To a team we should not have lost to. Everyone yelled at each other, everyone bailed when it didn’t go our way,…I came home, and I just sat in my chair, stewing. And that’s when I heard the Lord say “You prayed with them…”
Yeah…but…
“You prayed with them…”
I sat there…silent. I asked the Lord what in the world He wanted me to give them.
“Teach them…”
I had to teach them how to encourage one another…okay, done, Lord…
“And Listen to what I want to say to them…”
Okay…I can listen…done.
“And then tell them…”
Awe geez…
So, the next day, I listened…I asked…and I listened…
I have 13 girls…and when I was done and it was time to go to practice…I had 13 words. Not one little word…like Kind Kacie…or something…but like WORDS….13 separate, very specific WORDS for each girl…
But Father…
- I coach in a public school… “Tell them…”
- I don’t even know if they know You… “Tell them…”
- What if they think I’m crazy? “Tell them…”
- And if people walk in? “Tell them…”
So I did.
Last Friday, 13 girls closed their eyes at a volleyball practice.
I began to read.
And one by one the tears came…
I’ve never experienced anything like that moment…it was like I got to witness the Lord planting seeds, watering seeds, and then just shining His light on some of them…all at once…and when I finished, they just looked up at me…and I knew…I just knew
- I knew why I wasn't supposed to leave until January…
If the Lord told me today that the only reason He gave me volleyball was so that moment could happen, my reply to Him would be "Worth it."
Afterwards, we had a group hug and prayer…and then played some volleyball…it was AWESOME…it was one of the most humbling moments in my life.
And you know what?
-I DO coach in a public school…and I told them…
-I DON’T know if they know the Lord…but now they know He knows them
-They could think I’m crazy…let’s face it…I am a little
-And not a soul walked in…
Whatever fear keeps you from speaking the words He gives you, gosh, let it go. Speak…people are aching to hear the Lord…and the Lord might be giving them their answer THROUGH YOU. So….SPEAK…LISTEN…and SPEAK. It is WORTH IT.
