the draft

Okay, so what is it about the NFL draft that keeps men so captivated?? I don't get it. All Scott wanted to do when he got home from work yesterday was turn on the draft and see whom the Cowboys had chosen. You should have seen the sour look of discontent when he saw that they picked someone he hadn't counted on. What?? I was lost. I got up and started folding the four loads of laundry that needed to be put away. As I was folding the clothes I listened and giggled at my husband. Each time there was a good pick made he would throw up and hand and say "about time!" and each time there was a "bad" pick made he would either sigh, scratch his head, or stand up. All this drama over names and teams being flashed across the screen?? What is the big deal? What makes this moment on television so incredibly important? What makes these men so different? A few answers came to me as I thought (to myself not to distract hubby) about this "draft" that was going on. What set these players apart was talent, desire, a passion to play, and a man holding a microphone calling out their names.

That's when God reminded me of a scripture. Leviticus 20:26 says, "You are holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own". For just a moment, apply those words to yourself. As if God is speaking straight to you. "You are holy to me because I, the Lord, and holy and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own." (emphasis mine) As Christians, God has set us apart to be His very own. No that does not mean we are better or more special than everyone else. It simply means we are different. And hopefully others see that difference on us. Just like the players drafted yesterday, we have something in us that is desirable. The loving hand of God. He's chosen us. Drafted us. We play on His team because He's held the microphone and called out our names. What a joy to be in God's drafting line-up. What a blessing to be counted for His team. Today an announcement was made at church. God has drafted another pair for His "starting line". He gently called them by name, gave them the play, and passed them the ball. Now it's their turn. The work is tedious and they'll meet the enemy head on, more than once. But the end rewards will be amazing, and well worth the sacrificing challenges. They have been chosen since before birth to take the task laid before them. They've been on God's list. And now, they've been drafted. I'm going to miss their smiling faces. I'm going to miss her leadership at Bible study. I'm going to miss those oh-so-cute outfits of hers. And I'm going to miss seeing his un-abridged passion for teens put into action for our community. (and I'm really going to miss those kids!!) I could not have chosen a better family for this task. I know they are going to do some amazing things in God's name. He's chosen the best of the best. They will be amazing.

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Dear Lord, I thank you for the opportunity to meet these sweet sweet people. Thank you for blessing our church with them and thank you for blessing me with time to get to know them. I am better for it. I ask that you bless their new adventure. Give them the people they need and take them to the people that need them. Keep your blanket of love over them and surround them with strength daily. Thank you for choosing them, they will not let you down. Guide them and protect them and show them every step of the way how loved and supported they are. Comfort those they are leaving behind, we will miss them. And prepare those in the path ahead of them, they will need them.

Clinging to you.