I’m a football fan, and my team is the New Orleans Saints. I’ve been a Saints fan through thick and thin, having watched their first game, and followed them since I was a boy. Over the time I’ve been a football fan, various players have celebrated extraordinary plays, touchdowns, and victories with an acknowledgement of God, whether tapping their chest and pointing to the sky or kneeling briefly, or making the sign of the cross. Most of my life I’ve thought of this as a little ridiculous, but I’ve come to understand it better. And this brings me to Tim Tebow…
First, a little bio of Mr. Tebow. He’s pretty private, but it’s known that he was born in the Philippines, in Manila, of missionary parents. I’ve heard that, when his mother was pregnant, she drank some contaminated water and got sick. She was advised to abort her child (Tim), but instead she prayed, and promised that if Tim was born healthy, he would also be a missionary for Christ. Tim’s parents brought him up Christian, he was healthy and remained devoutly Christian, to this day.
I don’t really care how good or bad he is as a football player. He got his team to the playoffs this year, which speaks to his effort, his leadership, his and his team’s talents. Yes, even at 8-8 (now 9-8), it is apparent. But what bothers me is that people make such a spectacle of his Christian witness. And it’s not that they hold him up as an example. They make fun of him. And, as a sign of his perseverence and fortitude, Tim could care less what some will say. He FIRST OF ALL thanks his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for his talents.
I used to think it ridiculous for someone making a living playing a game to thank God for that home run, or that sack. God didn’t give the touchdown to the receiver. He didn’t make him score. But as a Catholic, and a devout one, I see it clearly now. God gives us all gifts. Our very breath is a gift, let alone the talent to throw a ball nearly 100 mph. It’s the talent they thank God for. I don’t know about you, but I thank God every day, first for the gift of the day, and second for all the gifts He’s given me, especially the gift to know Him, and the ability to love Him and serve Him and obey Him.
Whether we thank him so publicly as Tim Tebow, or privately in the dark before we drift off to sleep, let’s always remember where our next heart beat comes from…
God bless you.
