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WINNING STREAK
VS
LOSING STREAK
Location:
Romans 5:3-4 We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God's approval, and his approval creates hope.
Headline:
"... each of us has some sort of ability: talent. Now its our responsibility to discover what that is and what's more, have the courage to use it."
Bob Ladouceur, (football coach of De La Salle Spartan High School)
Game Summary:
Coach Ladouceur is considered one of the most successful coaches of all times. His De La Sale Spartans won 151 high school football games in a row. He did this with class and grace, but it didn't come without many trials along the way. These trials only led him to become a better man both professionally and personally.
The Lucky Ladies softball team just came off a magical journey in their last season of 10 and under. Not only had they won 6 tournaments and a State Championship, but they had placed 5th at the World Series competing against 35 teams from 8 states. All this from a small Ada, Oklahoma area team that didn't pay its coaches, have monthly fees to play or recruit girls from all over the state like many of its opponents.
Private parent meetings were held to talk about the team and the move to 12 & under, where they would now be the younger team and the road would not be as easy. Its rare in the travel ball arena but all 11 players would be returning and several had played together since 8 & under and even t-ball.
Boy did that change quick ... shortly before the season was to begin their power hitting, outfield/catcher told her parents she needed a break and wanted to take off this Fall Season. Much to everyone's surprise the Lucky Ladies were down to 10 players. Season starts with a 1 run loss to an older team in the last inning, that eventually won the tourney, then a bad loss to a much less talented team. They were 0-2 and out of the tourney. 2nd tourney begins with another close loss that goes down to the last inning and then another bad loss to a team they should have beaten ... 0-4. This bunch was not accustomed to losing. The previous season's success seemed to be quickly forgotten. The parents of their last season team captain, shortstop/catcher and leadoff hitter decided it was best for her to find another team ... down to 9 players. The very next week the news came in that their other previous team captain/ 3rd baseman/ power hitter was to undergo surgery for a nagging leg injury and would be out for the season ... down to 8. The remaining coaches and parents scrambled to make some calls to friends in the area and quickly found 4 new players to boost their lineup to 12, which was the goal all along.
The 1st tourney with the new parts in place began not much differently than the others -- a close loss by the 1 run in extra innings to an older team that eventually won the tournament. That was followed by 2 more losses to a rival team in the area who had never beat them. So the lucky number 7 was not so lucky as the Lucky Ladies were now 0-7 and reeling on what to do. Coaches and parents all had opinions of what was going on but ultimately the plan was keep on moving forward, working hard and things would work out. The next tourney was a 2 day, 11 team tourney in North Oklahoma City. The girls once again started out playing a much bigger and older team, but the results were not the same. The bats came alive, along with solid defense and good pitching. The girls pulled out the win 9-3. They rolled through the tournament winning all 6 games they played and taking home 1st place. After that the girls didn't look back, and took home 2nd place in the last 2 tournaments of the Fall season.
Jesus the son of God was brought to this earth for one reason ... to save all of us. He was brought to this earth to go through a "losing streak" so to speak where he experienced all kinds of horrible things including being tortured and eventually hung on the cross to die. But did His story end? By providing everlasting life to all who choose to follow his lead and the word of God. So just remember when you are having a bad day, are being called a bad word, or losing in the sport you love, this world is just temporary and you are able to overcome things of this world because of the everlasting promise that Jesus provided for both you and me. Stand tall through your troubles and never give up, because Jesus has laid out "winning streak" for those who follow him.
The Lucky Ladies softball team just came off a magical journey in their last season of 10 and under. Not only had they won 6 tournaments and a State Championship, but they had placed 5th at the World Series competing against 35 teams from 8 states. All this from a small Ada, Oklahoma area team that didn't pay its coaches, have monthly fees to play or recruit girls from all over the state like many of its opponents.
Private parent meetings were held to talk about the team and the move to 12 & under, where they would now be the younger team and the road would not be as easy. Its rare in the travel ball arena but all 11 players would be returning and several had played together since 8 & under and even t-ball.
Boy did that change quick ... shortly before the season was to begin their power hitting, outfield/catcher told her parents she needed a break and wanted to take off this Fall Season. Much to everyone's surprise the Lucky Ladies were down to 10 players. Season starts with a 1 run loss to an older team in the last inning, that eventually won the tourney, then a bad loss to a much less talented team. They were 0-2 and out of the tourney. 2nd tourney begins with another close loss that goes down to the last inning and then another bad loss to a team they should have beaten ... 0-4. This bunch was not accustomed to losing. The previous season's success seemed to be quickly forgotten. The parents of their last season team captain, shortstop/catcher and leadoff hitter decided it was best for her to find another team ... down to 9 players. The very next week the news came in that their other previous team captain/ 3rd baseman/ power hitter was to undergo surgery for a nagging leg injury and would be out for the season ... down to 8. The remaining coaches and parents scrambled to make some calls to friends in the area and quickly found 4 new players to boost their lineup to 12, which was the goal all along.
The 1st tourney with the new parts in place began not much differently than the others -- a close loss by the 1 run in extra innings to an older team that eventually won the tournament. That was followed by 2 more losses to a rival team in the area who had never beat them. So the lucky number 7 was not so lucky as the Lucky Ladies were now 0-7 and reeling on what to do. Coaches and parents all had opinions of what was going on but ultimately the plan was keep on moving forward, working hard and things would work out. The next tourney was a 2 day, 11 team tourney in North Oklahoma City. The girls once again started out playing a much bigger and older team, but the results were not the same. The bats came alive, along with solid defense and good pitching. The girls pulled out the win 9-3. They rolled through the tournament winning all 6 games they played and taking home 1st place. After that the girls didn't look back, and took home 2nd place in the last 2 tournaments of the Fall season.
Jesus the son of God was brought to this earth for one reason ... to save all of us. He was brought to this earth to go through a "losing streak" so to speak where he experienced all kinds of horrible things including being tortured and eventually hung on the cross to die. But did His story end? By providing everlasting life to all who choose to follow his lead and the word of God. So just remember when you are having a bad day, are being called a bad word, or losing in the sport you love, this world is just temporary and you are able to overcome things of this world because of the everlasting promise that Jesus provided for both you and me. Stand tall through your troubles and never give up, because Jesus has laid out "winning streak" for those who follow him.
MVP:
2014 Lucky Ladies fastpitch softball team
Spring 10 & under
and
Fall 12 & under
Recap:
Some say what we learn from losing teaches us great lessons for what then makes us winners. What has happened where you felt you failed, but then later on you saw how it helped you become successful? In your abilities, in your attitude?
Do you see that no matter how good we get, we still need to keep improving? What do you feel you do well, but you can still improve? What can you do to keep getting better at it?
What Bible verses can you think of that encourage us to keep getting better, no matter how good we get at something? (e.g., 1 Corinthians 9:24, Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.)
Do you see that no matter how good we get, we still need to keep improving? What do you feel you do well, but you can still improve? What can you do to keep getting better at it?
What Bible verses can you think of that encourage us to keep getting better, no matter how good we get at something? (e.g., 1 Corinthians 9:24, Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.)
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