It was hot! The sun was standing at attention directly over our heads. Although we had on sunglasses our eyes were still squinted and our skin felt like leather as sweat poured and dripped everywhere. The crowd was not really into the game and with the heat it was understandable. The tiny cheerleaders could barely cheer for taking huge gulps of water every few minutes.
.
As the game progressed on our little boys played their hearts out. Gabe was 5 or 6 at the time. I can't remember if this was his first or second year playing football but it seemed like this one game was going on forever. And, this was just the second quarter. With every hut of the football boys would just simply lay down on the field. Here we were in the stands dripping with sweat...I can't imagine how those precious babies felt with all that equipment on.
.
As the second quarter was drawing to a close the boys could see relief in the very near future. Half time was fast approaching and with one last play the ball was hiked, pads were hit and boys were left laying on the ground. At the sound of the whistle everyone stood up and began to walk off the field except Gabe. He just laid there.
.
I raised my hand and cupped it over my eyes and squinted even harder. I noticed Shane squatted down to him and removed his helmet. Still, nothing. No movement, no sign of "oh he's okay," no...nothing. I stood up and began to glance over the crowd to see if anyone else was panicking. Nope. Everyone was fine...it was just me. I continued to look out on the field and when I just couldn't take it anymore I began my way down the bleachers. Before I knew it something had taken over my body and I walked through the gate, onto the sidelines, onto the FIELD and right there where Gabe was laying. Shane looked up at me with complete frustration as I asked what was wrong. "Oh, he just got hot and had the breath knocked out of him...he's fine." I looked down at Gabe and as he was sitting up tears began to stream down his precious face.
.
So, I did what any mother would do. I bent down, picked my baby up and CARRIED him off that field!! As we reached the sidelines I could feel the steam from Shane breathing on my neck. I sat Gabe down on the bench and started pouring cold water on his head when Shane simply said "Go back to your seat..." I started to refuse but after seeing the look on his face I decided I better just throw the towel in on this one and I made my way back to the bleachers.
.
Right before half time ended Shane came up to where I was sitting and sat down. He sat quiet for a few minutes and then said the words a Momma never wants to hear. "I know he's your son. I know you want to do what is best for him. But, I promise you, don't you EVER walk out onto a field and carry him off again! What are you going to do when he turns 13, 15, 18 and gets hurt?!?!?!" At the time I huffed and stomped my feet and did the whole 'Don't tell me what to do routine' but now that Gabe is actually 13 I cannot believe I did that!
.
I recently asked Gabe if he remembered me doing that and he simply replied "Momma, that is one memory I try to block! I have no recollection of it!" Well, how's that for a Mom's ego?!?!? You know so many times in life I have trusted my instincts or the instincts of others and found myself in a trap that I just couldn't get out of. Really, all we need to do, is trust in the Lord. He is our strength, our refuge. He holds the answers, the key to unlock the door. He is the first and the last. He is God. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 (NLT).
.
Trusting the Lord is difficult sometimes because we think we know everything. I mean after all...I am a Mom! Well, I'm quickly learning that Mom's don't know the half of it and neither do you! Don't lean on your own understanding...trust in the Lord!
No comments:
Post a Comment