Reckless FaithSample

I started playing sports in fifth grade, but I stopped growing in the ninth grade, so at 5’4” there wasn’t much action under the basketball hoop. If I wanted to play, I had to develop an outside shot. I worked on my accuracy until I could be the player passed to at the top of the key.

During a basketball tournament, our team earned a spot in the final game. We played evenly against our competition and found ourselves down by one, with thirty seconds left. Coach Kiehl called a time-out and looked at me. “If we get you the ball, you could shoot from the outside?”

I said, more confidently than I felt, “Yes, get it to me. I’ll do it.”

My friend passed me the ball. I eyed the backboard and shot. It bounced on the rim, rolling out. The game was over, we lost.

I don’t remember the after-game speech; what I remember was not wanting to face anyone. When I was sure everyone was gone, I left the locker room, looking for my dad, who was waiting to take me home.

He had a ball under his arm and passed it to me, pointing on the floor to where I had missed. Hurt—I squared up. Swish. I gave him the sarcastic look teenage girls have long perfected. Satisfied?

He passed me the ball again, pointing back to the floor. I shot with less accuracy and still made it. This happened a third time until finally, I started crying. He walked over to bear hug me.

“What is it you want?” I said, angry.

He looked me in the eye, hoping his teachable moment would land, “I just wanted you to go to bed tonight remembering what it is you are capable of.”

I heard him: One setback does not make me a failure. One missed shot is just that, one missed shot. He was desperate to make sure I would be ready to try again.

Sometimes we fall short of our expectations for ourselves. Lies and insecurities come rushing in and we forget God has called us, equipped us, and given us promises and gifts. God is saying to us, “You are not your mistakes, you are not your missed shots or your failed attempts.” He has given us a purpose and a sure path. Even though we might stumble, our future is always secure in Him. He is always there to remind us of what we are capable of; all we have to do is say yes to trying again.