If I could have…

Last night our family had a real bonding time.  We had a busy night planned. Jared had his open house at his school, Lindsey had Cheer practice, Shelly was coaching her Jr. High cheerleading squad and Justin had a football game. All was going well.  Shelly’s cheer team was doing great, Lindsey had a good practice, Justin’s game got underway and at halftime of Justin’s game we went to Jared’s open house.  We walked over to the open house and talked with Jared’s teacher a little bit then headed back to the game.  Shelly was stopped by a friend to talk and Jared and I proceeded into the game.  While walking in to the stadium, I notice the game had just started and that I did not see a #12 on the field. I felt something say run… So Jared and I ran around the first set of bleachers to the sideline… Guess what?  There sat Justin with his coach… Second play of the half and Justin gets nailed! The full back missed his block and the linebackers crushed him.  Coach saw me run up and motioned me to come to the bench. I got there and coach told me that he thought Justin broke his collar bone.   Justin was in a  lot of pain so we grabbed his stuff and headed to the van. I  called Lindsey who was running some errands to meet us at the Immediate Care in Winnebago.

We got to the doctor’s office and yup, coach was right.  It was a broken collar bone.  Justin was doing pretty good until the doctor told him that he was out for the entire season… that is when the tears started.  Justin is a 100% type kid.  He gives his all in everything he does. He loves sports and works extra hard to excel in them. The news of not being able to play broke his heart.  His next question he squeaked out was “what about basketball?”.  The doctor told him that he would be back for basketball.  That brightened Justin’s spirits a little bit.

While all this was going on with the doctor, Lindsey and Jared were in the waiting room trying to stay calm.  Both of them were terribly worried for their brother. Lindsey made some phone calls and text messages to family and friends to let them know what was going on.  There was also another issue with the night.  My phone was going nuts! The Green Bay Packer game was on at the same time all this doctor’s office stuff was happening.  I had text message after text message coming in telling me the score, cheering on the Packers, or Booing my beloved Packers.  It was crazy.  :)

The only thing that I could think of was that I was mad at myself for not being there when Justin was hurt and that I wish I could take his place in the  pain. I NEVER like to miss my boys playing football, Never! Just for the fact of wanting to be there if they were injured. I wasn’t there! I was so frustrated. Baseball and basketball I hate to miss, but I feel that I can… But football… Ugh!  So guilt came in.

Late last night I felt terrible, but started trying to convince myself that it was probably better that I wasn’t there.  Why? Probably because, I would have seen the play and went off on the fullback who missed the block or the offensive line who let the others in on the tackle.  All I can say is that, I missed it! And IF I COULD HAVE, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN JUSTIN’S PAIN.  I hated seeing what the other team (the enemy) did to my boy.

With that said: Think of the pain the Son of God, Jesus, took for us.  He was beaten and died to take away our sin and to give us a way to the Kingdom of God.  I wonder what Jesus thinks when we allow the enemy (Satan) to beat up on us? He hates it… He wants us to give it to him… How do we to that? We turn from sin, do what is right and trust him.  Last night, I wish I could have taken that pain for Justin, but I couldn’t.  But, I do know this, Jesus will take your pain away… Turn it over to him…

On a lighter note… It was neat to see our family come together and support Justin when he was down…. I love my family!