“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 ( NIV )

When I first met my husband and his family I thought they might be placing just a little too much emphasis on sports. (Can you imagine that - a Rider that was a little too nutty about sports!) Well not only do opposites attract but I learned through the years that sports have a purpose in God's creation. Here is one example from this past soccer season. This particular soccer game was toward the end of the season. In our struggle to score and possibly pick up a much-needed win, one of our players was seriously injured. The clock was stopped; coaches and the opposing team's trainer were summoned to the field. My eyes were on Cody, the injured player (also now a new member of the Rider family). As Don and I focused on the opposite end of the field where he laid, the person on Don's right told us to look straight in front of us. He and his wife witnessed a spiritual moment on the field that was not orchestrated or planned. It was just a gut reaction from our players. What this stranger saw was those thirsty and tired players, with no adult direction, fall to their knees in a circle to pray for their injured teammate. They didn't go rest on the bench or go for the water that would quench their thirst, but to the source that would fill their need: God. The husband and wife from the opposing team were truly touched and started to converse with us about what they witnessed. This gave us an opportunity to tell them a little about our team's faith, since a lot of the players are in our Sunday school class. I like to think that moment may have changed their lives in some way. Even though the prayer that was lifted up that night might not have been answered the way the players or Cody wanted, God heard that prayer and he was glorified in many ways. Cody had to have surgery and his soccer season ended early, but” ¼ in all things God works for the good of those who love him and are called according to purpose.” From that event many good things came. I had the opportunity to help care for Cody, a situation that gave our family the chance to draw nearer and it opened the door for us to develop a bond that will last just like the “good things” God promised us.

DIANE RIDER