Yes, we step into that space and remind our men of the kids who do listen … of the kids who become adults and still reach out … of the kids who needed a surrogate father … of the kids who played out of their shoes … of the kids who just need one caring adult and our men stepped into the space, the space between winning and losing—and that made all the difference.
My football coach husband turned to me and said, “How do you feel about being a coach’s wife?”
Here's the truth: You have a specific calling on your life, and it is just as valuable to God, your family, and your community as your husband's calling.
I was not prepared for the pride and joy in this investment. Over and over I find that my heart is not prepared, but in many ways I can’t fully explain, instead it is renewed and repaired.
You are not defined by the wins or losses. You’re investing into young men. That’s kingdom work for a risen king who wore a crown of thorns. And that crown is infinitely more profound than any state title ring. THAT is the crown to be known and defined by.
Truthfully, dad can’t do all this work on his strength alone. But we are lending him to God to use in the lives of the players, coaches, and our hometown this season. And we are trusting God to move mountains.
Here’s the thing though, if you embrace this life instead of fight it, it can be so much more than just a game or just a sport, because even with the ups and downs, being a coaching family means more.
Your husband has been fired and where in the world is God?
He was there three weeks ago when my girlfriend insisted that I meet her. She told me about the BIOY (Bible in One Year) app that I would need to cling to. Every single day there has been a nugget of truth I’ve been able to cling to. The day of the reassignment it read, “Relax and let God be God.”
He was there when my husband was reassigned and one week later we closed on a house that we were way over our head in. The house had been on the market for 2 years!
He was there over the past two years that we have had a renter and not one thing has happened that needed a repair.
He was there when the inspection on the sale of our house didn’t call for a single repair.
He was there when my office is off-site of the admin building even though I technically work there. He knew I wouldn’t be able to handle that.
He was there when He put a coworker in my life who is a fellow coach’s wife.
He was there when I finally let my husband have it because there were some things that just “needed to be said.” I had pent them up because I never want to add more damage in the storm. Nonetheless, certain things have to be said when storms are raging.
He was there when on the day my husband’s replacement was named, a job came open in the town I’d been praying we would move to.
He was there when my sister showed up with pie and brightened the whole weekend. Pie makes everything better!
The pain is there. The hurt is there. The uncertainty is there. The shock is there. The embarrassment is there. I would be a lying fool if I acted like it isn’t.
But He is there too, just like he said he would be and just like he has always been. I just have to make sure I’m looking.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” Isaiah 43:2
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Genesis 50:20
Football isn’t everything and there’s life beyond the score
But the lessons we learn in these years help prepare us for more
So to you young man, who has shown up every day
The boy who hasn’t quit, whose loyalty hasn’t strayed
You, my son, are building skills for your life
Things that will bless your work, your children, your wife
