Forgiveness

On October 2, 2006, five girls ranging in age from 6-13, were murdered by a deranged man who committed suicide. The girls were all shot execution-style in one of the country’s most tragic events. What was most amazing about this horrible tragedy was the response of the Amish community where the shooting took place. Within 24 hours, the people of the community had put out a statement offering forgiveness to the shooter and reaching out to shooter’s family to offer comfort and aid. What an amazing example! They did correctly note that the shooting does not pardon the act itself, nor could the tragedy be undone. But the courage of the Amish people in this community to step up and offer forgiveness. No one would have blamed them for expressing outrage at the shooter. But they offered forgiveness and offered comfort to the shooter’s family. I know if I were in the position of the Amish people, my reaction would have been far different. In the midst of unimaginable grief, they offered forgiveness. Why do I write this? I have no one that I need to forgive for past wrongs. But the reaction of the Amish people has always amazed me. Perhaps we can adopt the attitude of the Amish people, and through forgiveness begin the process of healing and restore hope.

Teamwork

This weekend is the start of the NFL season and the start of my own sons' football season. Of course, I hope their teams do well and I hope my own sons do well individually. However, my focus might be more on the team than the individuals. I love sports, but I really love team sports. I love watching how a team plays together, how everyone pulls together for the common goal. Yet, if one member of the team doesn't do his/her job, the whole team can fall apart. It's like that in life, too. Great teams pull together for the common good. They share the same dreams. The individual members genuinely like their teammates. So, yes I enjoy watching team dynamics. Of course, it's easy to see on the athletic field. But whether in sports or outside of sports, great teams always produce championship level results and the individual members are well rewarded as a result.
The opposite is the bad team dynamic. In those situations, the individuals are out for themselves, they don't trust their teammates and as a result, the team does not achieve its goals. The individual members are not as well rewarded either. Funny how putting your individual goals ahead of the team goals can leave you worse off.
So as I watch the football games, I will be justifiably proud of my boys for their own individual play, but I will be even more proud if they play within their team concept, and don't let their teammates down.