Yea, so you're probably thinking, "Why in the world is Jenny writing about the NFL draft?" I know it's strange, but you know people change when the get married. I married a man who loves college football and so I have learned more about college football, the BCS standings and the NFL draft than I ever thought I would. But, it's something we can do together and it's a way for me to be involved in his hobby. Two years ago we even drove all the way to Baton Rouge to go to an LSU game so I could experience the excitement of a night home game at Death Valley.
Also, my brother Joel is a huge Gator fan, and an even bigger Tebow fan. From the very beginning we have watched him play, cheered him on as he won the Heisman trophy and gone through the highs and lows of an undefeated season only to lose in the SCC championship. Until recently I was never a Gator fan, in fact I rooted for whoever was playing Florida, but how can you not love Tim Tebow? He's a beast on the field and a man of true character on and off the field. He's one of those guys I'm rooting for because he stands for what is right and I don't want him to fail (although don't get me wrong, I know he's a sinful human being just like the rest of us, but God is using him in the position he has put him in).
As you probably know, not everyone is a Tebow fan and there were plenty of naysayers who loved talking about his throwing motion or how he couldn't succeed in the NFL. They were predicting he'd be drafted in the second or even third round of the draft, but definitely not in the first. So, Michael and I listened to the first few picks of the first round until we found out who Jacksonville picked and then we moved on to other things. About 10:15pm Joel called to see if we were watching the draft and share the news that Tebows was drafted in the first round to the Broncos. We were so excited! After all the trash talk from all the commentators, Timmy had been drafted in the first round after all! And exciting for us, Michael's parents live in Denver and his family get to go to some of the games. They took us to a game at Thanksgiving, so we were already kind of Broncos fans.
Of course it was all over Facebook the next day. All Gator fans were now Broncos fans. Everyone was rejoicing in Tebow's good fortune. A friend of mine put something about it on her status and I responded by saying that I was so happy because God took care of Tebow regardless of what others had to say about him. Her brother (who I know) responded by saying, "God taking care of his people is having him drafted in the first round? Wow, just wow." He later responded by saying, "Tebow being drafted in the 1st round doesn't mean anything. What about all those drafted before him who couldn't care less about God?" As I read his remarks I was mad, sad and conflicted about how and if to respond. This is a guy who wants to be a pastor (or at least at one time did and has been to seminary).
His perspective took me aback, because, by his reasoning if good things happen to people who aren't God's children, then we can't thank him for his provision because it must not mean anything if he provides the same for those who "couldn't care less about God." Two verses came to mind, Matt. 5:45 and Matt. 10:30. Matt. 5:45 says, "He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." In my mind (and I could be wrong) this means that God provides for those who care about him and give him credit and those who, as my friend's brother put it, "couldn't care less about God." Matt. 10:30 goes along with the idea that God cares about the little things in our lives like where someone is drafted. It says, "And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered" Again, I could be wrong about this, but if God knows the number of hairs on Tim Tebow's head, I don't think it's a stretch to say he's in control of where he is picked in the NFL draft.
I was mad at my friend's brother for trying to make me look stupid and I was sad that he was so cynical. God has provided for me in so many little ways that show me his care, that it makes me sad to think that he isn't willing to acknowledge God's provision because of what God does for those who don't trust him. I wish I could say I didn't give in and respond or that I responded in a gracious way, but unfortunately I don't think that's true. I did finally respond in kind of a shnarky way (Capt. Dictionary might need to help me with the spelling of that word since she taught it to me), but hopefully he'll see my point. We'll see. I just couldn't leave his remarks open with no response at all.
So, am I crazy? What do you think?
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Snarky (if it's even a word) doesn't have an 'h' in it. But you are right--God is in control whether your friend's brother knows it or believes it or not (what did he learn in seminary?). Acknowledging God's Hand in everyday matters (well, the NFL Draft isn't every day, but it's not of any greater importance than anything else) is something that should come naturally to us as Christians.
ReplyDeleteWhoever this mysterious "J" is, s/he need to get her/his facts in order! Snarky is definitely a word. Word that I DID make up but is fun to use, snarkling. It means to laugh at something in a snarky way. Not that I would ever do that.
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