"I GET TO PLAY STRIKER!"
I looked out across the soccer field on a cool October evening. The sun setting just over the horizon, a slight mist hitting my face as my niece and her teammates were excitedly jumping up and down.
This being the last game of the regular season and the seniors final one at that, made these few moments feel all the more joyful as the team had taken quite a significant lead.
In this brief intermission, my mind traveled back, seventeen years earlier to the day I frantically raced to the hospital to see the birth of this amazing creation, God had designed.
I was overjoyed to be an aunt again, my older sister had two little boys. Both of whom, I absolutely adored and spoiled every opportunity available.
When I found out she was expecting a girl this time, my heart was full and I was determined to be part of every major moment, starting with her birth.
Everything was planned to perfection, but as we all know, you just can’t plan these things and I missed it by 10 minutes.
When I arrived I was so frustrated with myself for not getting there early enough, until her father placed her in my arms.
And EVERYTHING BECAME STILL…
In those first few moments, nothing else mattered except this precious child, I was overwhelmed with gratitude that God had chosen me to be her aunt.
I immediately began praying over her and asking God to bless this new life and use me to be an influence, in any way He saw fit.
My mind replayed sleepovers, family adventures, cheer-leading competitions, school formals, silly nicknames, and years spent getting to know this remarkable young lady.
As she grew, people were instantly drawn to her quick wit, selfless devotion, and love of family. Many a tear shed and prayer uttered over friendships, boyfriends, fears, and failures; now looking toward college decisions and future plans.
I was drawn from my reverie as half-time was just about over and the girls came running across the field, she shouted to us, “I get to play striker.”
Her excitement was evident as she continued to pursue the ball scoring a goal, assisting her team in victory. It was exhilarating to watch a seasoned defensive player given the opportunity to spread her wings and try something new.
As the evening came to an end, Psalm 139 came to mind as I watched the family and friends who’d come to support this beauty in her element.
We have lovingly cheered her on from day one; but knowing that God, creator of the universe, knows and loves her so much more, completely humbled me at that moment.
As we read this Psalm, we are drawn into a letter of adoration, fear, and awe written from David to Almighty God.
He uses these passages to illustrate God’s omniscience and omnipresence. Knowing full well that Creator God is everywhere, and that we, who are created in His image are fully known and loved by Him.
This thought often strikes fear in man, but for David, it brings inward reflection and elicits a response of PRAISE!
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts
from afar, You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a
word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay
your hand upon me Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, to lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are
there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the
far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely
the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark
to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created
my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes
saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them
came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to
count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand when I awake, I am still with you…SEarch me, and know
my heart; test me and know my thoughts. SEe if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
(PSALM 139, NiV)
Like David, I took a reflective approach to this passage, one that guided my heart toward PRAISE!
The highlight reel playing from the past 38 years, as God has indeed been an author, skillfully and artistically crafting my journey.
My thoughts traveled back to my niece and her next stage of life. I firmly believe she too was created for a purpose, with the potential to influence lives with the message of the gospel.
Although the coming years will inevitably bring great change. One truth is certain, God’s plans for my “spicy little curly fry,” have been written, and my prayer as this chapter of her journey closes is that she embrace them wholeheartedly.
My prayer for you dear reader, is that you too, embrace these truths: YOU are fearfully and wonderfully made by an all-knowing, loving creator, God, who desires to fulfill His plan and purpose for your life.
