BEAUTIFUL

My hope was to sit down and write about what an awesome first week I had with my new team but those words just aren't coming.  I am not saying it wasn't awesome because it so was.  Probably the best first week of a season I have ever had.  Instead however, I keep thinking about the players themselves and the impact on their lives. 

So far I have had the privilege of meeting 15 of the most Godly young ladies ever to the grace the court.  Every time I see them I can't help but smile and I don't know why.  Every time I think about it I just get giddy.  These girls are AWESOME!  No matter what situation you put them in or what rigors I  put them through, they do it all with a smile on their face.  Not once have I heard a complaint, which considering the "torture" I have put them through the past few days says  a lot. I have coached junior high, high school, private school, public school, and even college but NEVER have I encountered a group with that give it all no excuses attitude.  I have thought long and hard about why they have this totally different attitude then any other team I have coached and I can only think of one thing -- B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.

Now as you notice I am using BEAUTIFUL as an acrostic.  This is actually the basis of a weekly devotional time that I will begin with the team in a few weeks.  It will be called family time.  I came up with this long before I met any of these girls (got the main idea from a coaching friend and came up with my own version).  It was just something that God laid on my heart to do doing the summer and I see why now because these girls are truly B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L  For those of you wondering here's what it stands for:

Beleive
Encourage
Attitude
Utmost
Trust
Integrity
Family
Unity
Love

Each word has some scripture and devotional thought and application to it but I won't give those away just yet.  I may or may not share those on here during the weeks we are doing them.  My point in this however it that I can already see those young ladies taking their BEAUTIFUL shape and that's what set them apart.  I am not sure why God chose me to help them discover their BEAUTIFUL selves but I will allow Him to use me to do so.  I pray He will help me be BEAUTIFUL so that I can help them as well and that my life would be a continuing example of His love and His true BEAUTIFUL grace.

A Coach's Christmas Morning

 

As the summer draws to a close and school is ready to start, I am reminded that Basketball Season is just around the corner.  Its this time of year that makes me as excited as a kid on Christmas morning.  I usually lay awake at might dreaming of and preparing for the season ahead.  The first day of practice is just like my Christmas morning.  No matter how many seasons I coach its always the same.  However, as the excitement builds so do the nerves.  I have been told several times that I shouldn't be nervous cause I've been doing this so long, but then again no matter how ling I have been doing this, the nerves always come.  Its the best of both worlds I guess.

This year is no different.  Our first team meeting is only a few weeks out and I feel like I have this huge present in front of my ready to tear the paper off and see what's inside.  At the same time, I am nervous to see what gift is inside.  I already know that this year will be totally different than any other.  This is because of several different factors.  First, the caliber of players I have.  This group of girls that I will be coaching will probably be the most talented group of girls I have ever coached.  I again am both excited and scared to death because of this.  Second, the nature of the team I am coaching.  It is a home-school team and I am quickly learning that they are a whole different breed.  That's not anything bad but you just have to learn to deal with not only the players but the parents in a different way.  One good thing with this is the level of support I have already gotten form the parents and leadership.  It is AWESOME!  If you take all the support I have had in the past and double it you still really can't come close to their level.  The third factor is probably the most important in that I know that I am where I am suppose to be.  In the past I coached for the fun, the job and the competition, and me.  This year I have a whole new mindset in that I coach for ONLY one reason, TO BRING GLORY TO GOD!  This again is both exciting and scary for so many reason.

So with each passing day I sit there looking at my present, waiting anxiously for mom and dad to finally wake up so I can rip the paper off and see what "Santa" brought this year.  Maybe if we make enough noise they will get up?!?!?