The Paradox of Pouring Out

After being thrown into the role of "Soccer Program Director" at the brink of the Fall soccer season, I must say that a situation that could have been very disastrous and overwhelming (I didn't - and still kind of dont :) - know what I was doing...) has become very fruitful and encouraging. I have spent my Friday nights and entire Saturdays driving all over Birmingham to the various fields attending and coaching games for my kids.

To be honest, entering into this job, the concept of spending countless hours at the fields with the kids seemed a bit like an obligation. But with each week, event and interaction with one of my kids or their families, I can't seem to get enough. Relationships are not obligations. It is not a relationship if it feels like an obligation. Thank you, Jesus, for molding my heart in such a way that I want nothing more than to just be around these kids.

BUSA Shootout Tournament weekend, Oct. 10-11:

I got to drive the girls to the games in the ministry van (experience in driving my family's conversion van in high school has shown its worth here... ;). We played 2 games, went to Zaxby's for lunch and "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" in between the games. After an exhausting day of coaching and 10 hours of 9 screaming LOUD girls, I was completely exhausted on our drive back. The girls had not lost an ounce of energy after such a full day, but despite feeling so lacking in energy, I could do nothing but smile and laugh at the chaos that was still so present. In this moment, I could fully attest to the patience, joy and peace of Christ Himself. He bestows that upon us when we need it most and when we have done all that we could to pour ourselves out to His children. An evening where my flesh was completely empty, my spirit was completely full and alive.

Relationships are real. They take work. But the paradox of following Christ is that when we give ourselves fully - physically, emotionally, mentally - we are given Him fully. Pouring ourselves out only makes us more full than we could ever imagine to be.