"Something Special" (Weekend Lessons Part1)

What I learned and saw over the weekend brings me to write this blog into two different parts. I must tell you, this weekend was very special to me (no pun intended), I'll tell you why. On Saturday my family and I met the Enriquez family in Arlington to attend the State wide Special Olympic Games at the University of Texas at Arlington Stadium. Special Olympic athletes from around the State of Texas were in attendance including our very own Alyssa Enriquez representing Pearland High School (who won the 3rd place Bronze Medal). It's amazing what you'll learn from the lives of these children who have down syndrome. Some of these athlete's were on crutches and wheelchairs, but it never seemed to be an issue to these kids. These kids came in wearing complete matching uniforms that complimented their game faces! Each individual life had a tremendous story to tell. You could see that through their thrive for competition and true sportsmanship. I was in the stands with my wife, daughter, Rene, Adeline and the whole Pearland Special Olympic Team. It was an awesome experience cheering and routing for the Pearland team. I also found myself cheering for other teams as well. The stands were full of proud parents and screaming fans. During the games I found myself getting caught up in the emotion of such athleticism. At times I found myself laughing and cheering for these kids, and at other times I found myself in tears as to their drive for making it across the finish line. However, their was one race that stood out to me the most. It was the boys 50 yard dash competition. These boys walked up to the starting line excited to run. They were waving to their parents in the stands, hugging each other, giving the "thumbs-up" sign to their friends, and yet the race hadn't officially started. It was a sight to see. These boys were happy just to be there. When the starting gun fired and the boys started running, the crowd went wild! It felt as if you were watching a football game and your team was on it's way to scoring a touchdown. As the race went on, one of the boys begin to develop a demanding lead to the other racers and was about 20 yards to the finish line. And then, the most amazing thing took place; the boy in first place stopped and turned around and waited for the other racers to catch up and then they ALL ran in together! Wow, what an athlete! What sportsmanship! Even the racer that came in last seemed to have the crowd cheering louder for him as he crossed the finish line. It was then sat back and began to reflect as to what this young boy just taught this pastor. Wouldn't it be amazing if the Body of Christ was just like this young boy? Not focused on beating his comrades, not focused on the gold medal he was to receive, but focused on the other athlete's around him making it to the finish line? Often times the church can be the most brutal to their brother and sister. They will put their brother down for not being stronger; they will discourage as opposed to encourage if they don't meet up to "their spiritual standards." Wouldn't it be great if we just learned to stop in mid-track just to make sure our brother is still running? And wouldn't it be even greater that we cheer louder for the brother that finally made it in? You know, I walked into this place thinking, "ahh, poor kids", and I left leaving saying, "ahh, shame on me!" May we be a church that cheers the loudest for the brother that's finally coming in. May we be a church who encourages by looking behind us to make sure our brother is still in the race. Am I my brothers keeper? Yes I am! Therefore, I pray that the Fellowship Church of Houston can learn to be a "special" church. I challenge you this week, if you know of a brother or sister that is in a spiritual struggle or a brother or sister you haven't seen at church for sometime, call them and cheer them to the finish line! Until Next Time- Pastor Sammy
(Part 2 will be tomorrow)