So we lost to Kansas. And it wasn’t even really close. We’d made plans for replaying our NCAA tourney victory over and over at a party next Saturday. Teachers had already canceled early Tuesday classes in expectations of all-night celebrating. Instead Sunday morning brought a wave of depressed baby-blue clad zombies casting knowing empathetic looks at each other through bloodshot eyes. What the heck happened? We were supposed to win that game!
First there was staring at the TV screen in disbelief, then changing the channel to the end of Super Troopers before the depressing post-game analysis about how the Heels failed, then a tearful phone conversation, then lying in bed, uncomfortably trying to forget it all. Our Father who art in heaven… Oh wait, you didn’t answer my prayer when Tyler Hansbrough’s shot got swatted down, why would you now? The night after a painful athletic loss can bring more bitterness at God than I thought possible in my un-jaded, pre-college-basketball-fan days. The logical side of my brain screamed out, “It’s just a game!” while the other side woefully lamented: “Why God, why?”
I always felt weird praying before sporting events. We would sometimes recite a Bible verse in the huddle before a cross country meet or pray that we would all run our best in a relay and that no one would get hurt. That was okay, and praying together built a good sense of unity among the team. But even at the height of my competitive intensity in high school track or the depths of my bitterness after the game Saturday night I knew in my heart (and in that logical side of my brain wins out most of the time) that God doesn’t take sides. I subconsciously let out a little prayer with that sharp intake of breath each time Danny Green sends up a jumper.
PleaseGodPleaseGodPleaseGod… Swoosh. Do I think some higher force is controlling the projection of that ball? Yes, it’s called physics. Ultimately I understood this, and did end up reaching the Amen last night. It just took a little longer, and may have included a “Please let Tyler Hansbrough stay for his senior year!” tossed in among the usual prayers for family and friends.
Today at a restaurant I passed a little kid wearing a shirt that showed a basketball flying through a hoop. Above it in block letters was the phrase GOD NEVER MISSES. Cute, but that’s probably because God doesn’t play basketball. We do. We play, and we miss, and it’s easy to blame on the refs or the tightness of the rim or divine providence diverting your shots from the backboard. But, sometimes you just get outplayed. The thing to pray for is the courage to admit that and humble yourself and get back to the gym. Because there’s always 2009, right?
Comments (5)
As an avid Memphis Tiger fan and a person of faith, I can only surmise that God was indeed looking out for the Jayhawks. There's simply no other explanation.
Posted April 9, 2008 5:23 PM
Posted on April 9, 2008 17:23
Flaming out against Kansas in a truly spectacular fashion (40-12? In the Final Four?!) is penance for propping up legendary tool "Psycho-T". It's hard to take anyone by that nickname seriously when you have to stop the game every 10 minutes because he has lost a contact lense. I'd have more respect for him if he was occasionally overcome by "the vapours", swooned on the court, and had to be revived on a sedan chair with iced tea and scones.
Kansas going on to win the title is further recompense for the stunt Roy Williams put them through during his departure. This is all part of the universe balancing itself out. God isn't necessarily a Kansas fan, but he sure does hate UNC.
Posted April 8, 2008 9:23 AM
Posted on April 8, 2008 09:23
Sorry to burst your bubble, but God was most likely neutral between NC and Kansas. He is after all, (as everyone knows) a Boston College Fan.
Posted April 8, 2008 8:51 AM
Posted on April 8, 2008 08:51
I wasthinking the same thing you were thinking when UNC lost against Ku. and thats exactly what i was thinking b/c i thought KU lost their game whe they were down by 9 points at 2:12. But god gave me a miracle and he also taught me it was just a game.
Posted April 8, 2008 4:23 AM
Posted on April 8, 2008 04:23
A sincere request from the other faith groups of the world....
Would you guys work that out before pronouncing your certainty we live under moral dereliction in our own government?
Thanks Kbai.
Posted April 7, 2008 9:04 PM
Posted on April 7, 2008 21:04