We were having an intersquad scrimmage and I was standing among a group of athletes, waiting to find out which team I would be on. I was sure that I would be placed on the team with the best athletes in the school, who were also my best friends. But instead, I was chosen to join a team that was considered to be the underdogs. In my anger and disgust, I told the coach that I was going to quit and began walking off of the field.

To my surprise, the coach let me go. I had been so sure that he would try to stop me, but he didn’t. As I continued walking away slowly, I started thinking, What am I going to tell my parents? And what are my friends going to think of me?

Hockey Chat:  After being picked up in an NHL draft, many players spend time in the minor leagues.  It is there that they work hard to prove themselves worthy of moving up to the major league team. When they are called up, they are given a little bit of ice time.  Then a bit more as they continue to prove themselves.  It’s a matter of earning their ice time and spot in the NHL by proving themselves in the lesser leagues.

Hockey Chat:  There are some games that I go away from the ice not knowing the score but confident that I tried with all my heart, stayed in it through all the bumps, and skated hard until it was over.  To me I felt like I had won.  I did everything I could and did my best.  You know those games.  You go away a winner, not caring about the final score.

This summer, many coaches and athletes will come to know Christ through the camp ministry of FCA. Every year, there is a new theme for FCA Camp, and this year it is “GET FOCUSED.” As coaches and athletes we often prepare for competition by getting focused in different ways. We may read Scripture, listen to music, talk to ourselves or do other pre-game rituals.