And Yet!

Christians of the world are approaching Palm Sunday leading into Holy Week and Easter, AND YET, one of the supposed faithful on Swift is choosing another topic this week. This is my one week of the year to lean into a not most important part of my life. In case you have missed it, which I somehow doubt, this is the time of March Madness, the ultimate college basketball championship of each year. Competation begins with the First Four: those fringers who almost make make it and have one last chance to be among the 62 teams that keep being divided by 2 until one champion is left standing. I don’t bet, don’t always (sometimes seldom) have my college in the running, often have to check the location of a school whose name doesn’t have the state, AND YET, for years I have chased down information and filled in winners in blanks.

Why this one consuming interest? I am not an athlete. I didn’t have a husband who bought season tickets to anything. AND YET I graduated from a high school of 72 students, most of whom I started first grade with. We managed to have a boys’ basketball team to attract a few young males and to provide a bonding activity. For four years fall to spring we traveled on Fridays or Saturdays up and down a long thin parish to cheer or moan as the day demanded. I learned the flow of the game, liked that it was always indoors, it mostly moved in a predictable time frame, and it provided boys tall enough for me to have a crush on.

Is your sport one of the different “balls?” It might be wrestling or even as sophisticated as polo or cricket. I am a part of the encouragers of this particular competition. I like the name Gonzaga because they just appeared as an unknown in 2014. This year I happened to watch the end of a game where the wise losing coach let all his bench have a chance to play on national television. I saw a freshman, his only second time all year on the court make a basket. His beaming face was pure happiness. I have always admired Kim Mulkey who comes from my Tangipahoa parish as a high school player, an Olympic team member, an outstanding coach, and a winner of awards. To be an encourager is important. I’m thankful for those who have watched me as I run a race I am called to participate in. It’s open to all and all can win a crown, not just for March, but for eternity.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, Hebrews 12:1