Stories that are best told are interactive and shared. If someone wasn't there with me... it often just wasn't that good; sometimes not even worth telling?
As a child, my stories were often driven by the people who were my leaders: my parents, teachers and an occasional coach. Life was at that time quite driven by my need for direction and coaching. Those were important and formative years and having someone to guide me was necessary and vital to my development.
Something happened along the way. It slipped in almost without notice. Coaches took on a diminished role and the team began to be the driving and formative influence in my life. Looking back, I can see how this played out for me.
Teams matter. When I was young I was a part of a team called the "Green Bugs." That is a strange name to say the least and it didn't do much to get us all pumped up when we played teams with names like the "vampires" or "rattlesnakes." I wonder if a better name would have made us a better team?
Everyone wants to be on a winning team. Much of what I have become is a result of being on the right team. I had good responsible friends, a healthy God honoring church and worked for the right people who understood what was really important in life.
I know of others who chose differently. Their lives took a different path and that path was determined by their choice of a team. Tragically, often we reap the consequences of our choices.
I don't say this to brag or boast. It is by God's grace that He has brought me back from a detour here and there.
Now, I am in my 50's... not the 1st grade... and I still need a good team. I want a great team! And it seems that God has given me what I want. Thank you LORD!
If you are on my team, you know who you are and I want to say, "Thanks... and GO TEAM!"
