Good morning! Our family was always on the soccer field as I was growing up. If it wasn’t practice, it was a game. If it wasn’t for me, it was for one of my siblings. We played on travel teams and school teams, we played in our front yard and anywhere we could! Bottom line – we were definitely a soccer family. Dad coached and I can still remember as he coached two of my brothers calling out to the team – Blue Wave, Blue Wave!! Which really meant – everybody advance together (I think LOL).
Soccer is a great sport and teaches you a lot about teamwork, self-discipline, and adversity. There is one time in particular that I’m thinking about this morning that taught me more than I wanted to know at the time. When I was an older teenager, I was playing in an indoor league when someone told me a truth about myself that I wasn’t expecting to hear.
Because I played so much soccer, I ended up having the same referees from time to time and we would build up a rapport with one another. The referee for this one game was a gentleman that I was very familiar with and respected because he always called a fair game.
I will never forget the words he spoke to me that day. He said…
“You’re a great player, but your attitude stinks.”
He continued to tell me how my bad attitude takes away from how good I play. Obviously, this struck me right in the heart, because I’m still talking about it today. I am so thankful that this man would speak truth into my life – not something that I wanted to hear, but something that I needed to hear. Reminds me of the verse in Proverbs.
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
Proverbs 27:6
Often times, the things we need to hear the most are the very things we try so hard to avoid. We try to protect ourselves by justifying our actions instead of facing the hard truths. I always remind Josh that no one (other than Jesus) loves him more than I do; and when I tell him something that may hurt his feelings, it is done out of love to help build him up!
Let’s face it, we all have blind spots in our lives. That is why it is important for us to have people in our lives that will be honest with us; people that are seeing things from a different perspective and can help build us up or protect us. If you don’t have someone in your life like this, start with someone close to you. This could be a family member or a close friend – someone you already trust. Give them the liberty to call you out when you need it and stand by you when it’s tough to do the right thing.
One thing I do on the regular after I have a tough conversation with Josh, is ask my wife (who is normally eavesdropping LOL) if I was too hard or if I’m not being realistic in my expectations. I need her honesty to ensure I’m not missing something in a blind spot. Sometimes she agrees with me and other times she gently tells me I’m ridiculous.
The Lord does the same thing if we would only invite His wisdom and insight. No one knows us better than He does – He is our Creator! Ask Him this morning to search your heart to point out the blind spots you may be missing. He loves you and will always bring life to the areas that need it.
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
Heavenly Father, thank You for the people in our lives that are honest with us in times where it may not be easy to speak the truth. Thank You for Your honesty to us and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Help us to invite correction and truth into our lives from the people who love and care for us the most – especially You! In Jesus Name – AMEN!
Be Transformed 