I choose to …
…step on the court
from there I could sit in the corner and do nothing. I could lay in the middle of the court and be a stumbling block or stand up against a wall and possibly get hit really hard by the ball. But I choose to….
…get geared up
Getting geared up, means getting the right gear, putting it on correctly, using it as intended. Even once I am geared up I could still just stand there looking like a player, but not engaging. Just adding another layer to look like something hoping to be a perfect player . Then being frozen by what might happen in the game. Instead I choose to …
…give it my best effort
Giving my best effort means I run after each serve and return the ball. I try for each ball and when I get to it, I never know how it will be received and returned. But I will try and try again. I miss a lot, hit the wall, and return to my opponent a few good shots. Knowing this is hard because my opponent is strong, quick and skilled. Yet I do not give up, knowing all this will pay off in a better game next time.
So I have a good attitude
A good attitude is a must, if I am to stay in the game. Getting hit with the ball or the racquet it is part of the game. Knowing when I miss, mess up or make a mistake I can make it up, by apologizing. Trying to make it right or just be right (like in my thoughts for expectations, assumptions and attitudes.) My opponent also knows the cost of being on the court.
should of, could of, would of…
There are a lot of should of, could of, would of, in a game of racquetball. If I dwell on those, it affects my next rally. Not being a good or bad player, just being a good sport and doing my best to stay in the game and be ready for the next serve.
I choose to …
…step on the court
…of Kingdom living. I could choose to sit at home and play games, watch TV and be a hermit. Trusting God and living the life he has for me is not the easy road, but it is the best road.
…get geared up
by reading my bible, worshiping God, listening to the Holy Spirit, and giving my best effort to love and serve people God puts in my path.
….give my best effort
My best effort is using my words to greet, encourage or pray for someone. Sometimes that is being generous with my resources and sometimes that’s a listening ear. To love and be a servant is a hard game, I choose that life and do so with a good attitude,
….have a good attitude
Through misses, mess up and making mistakes, I try to make it up, by apologizing, since I cannot choose how I, my actions, or my words will be received. I can only know my heart in the circumstance. If my conscience is good, I have got to move on.
should of, could of, would of…
When I play the should of, could of, would of, over in my mind with regret, I remember perfection is a low bar. Perfection can make me freeze up in life. I try to make things right. I forgive and ask forgiveness and get back into it. Learning from my experience to improve the next time….