The Father's Eyes
by: Bob Richards
The former pole-vault champion, shares a moving
story about a skinny young boy who loved football
with all his heart.
Practice after practice, he eagerly gave everything
he had. But being half the size of the other boys, he
got absolutely nowhere. At all the games, this
hopeful athlete sat on the bench and hardly ever played.
This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two
of them had a very special relationship. Even though the
son was always on the bench, his father was always in the
stands cheering. He never missed a game. This young man
was still the smallest of the class when he entered high
school. But his father continued to encourage him but also
made it very clear that he did not have to play football
if he didn't want to. But the young man loved football and
decided to hang in there. He was determined to try his best
at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play when he
became a senior. All through high school he never missed a
practice nor a game, but remained a bench warmer all four
years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always
with words of encouragement for him. When the young man
went to college, he decided to try out for the football team
as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure he could never make the cut,
but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the
roster because he always puts his heart and soul to every
practice, and at the same time, provided the other members
with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news
that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he
rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father
shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the
college games. This persistent young athlete never missed
practice during his four years at college, but he never got
to play in the game. It was the end of his senior football
season, and as he trotted onto thepractice field shortly
before the big play off game, the coach met him with a
telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became
deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach,
"My father died this morning. Is it allright if I miss practice
today?" The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and
said, "Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even
plan to come back to the game on Saturday." Saturday arrived,
and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when
the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly
slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football
gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players
were astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon.
"Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play today," said
the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was
no way he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game.
But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for
the kid, the coach gave in. "All right," he said. "You can go
in." Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the
stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who
had never played before was doing everything right. The
opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked
and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score
was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid
intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning
touchdown. The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto
their shoulders. Such cheering you've never heard! Finally,
after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and
left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man was
sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him
and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me
what got into you? How did you do it?" He looked at the
coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Well, you knew my dad
died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young man
swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Dad came to all my games, but
today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to
show him I could do it!"
Like the athlete's father, God is always there cheering for us.
He's always reminding us to go on. He's even offering us His
hand for He knows what is best and is willing to give us what
we need and not simply what we want. God has never missed a
single game. What a joy to know that life is meaningful if lived
for the Highest. Live for HIM for He's watching us in the game
of life.
RIGHT NOW: Somebody is very proud of you. Somebody is thinking
of you. Somebody is caring about you. Somebody misses you.
Somebody wants to talk to you. Somebody wants to be with you.
Somebody hopes you are not in trouble. Somebody is thankful
for the support you have provided. Somebody wants to hold your
hand. Somebody hopes everything turns out all right. Somebody
wants you to be happy. Somebody wants you to find him/her.
Somebody wants to give you a gift. Somebody wants to hug you.
Somebody thinks you ARE a gift. Somebody admires your strength.
Somebody is thinking of you and smiling. Somebody wants to
protect you. Somebody can't wait to see you. Somebody loves
you for who you are. Somebody treasures your spirit. Somebody
is glad that you are their friend. Somebody wants to get to know
you better. Somebody wants to be near you. Somebody wants you
to know they are there for you. Somebody would do anything for
you. Somebody wants to share their dreams with you. Somebody is
alive because of you. Somebody needs your support. Somebody
will cry when they read this. Somebody needs you to have faith
in them. Somebody trusts you. Somebody hears a song that reminds
them of you.
This was sent to me by a very dear and
special friend. To that somebody, I say
thank you for sharing this with me and
touching me with your kindness and your
heart, once again - you are truly somebody!!
Angels Among Us