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 / FUMCHOMESTEAD.ORG/ 11/20/11 Sermon
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Living as the Underdog
Scripture: Ueteronomy 8:11-12
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 This Thanksgiving Sunday, I want to show gratitude for the underdog in each of us.
The thing in us that drives us even if we know we have lost our minds for trying.
Even, when all is lost we keep on! I want you to know, I really have respect for the underdog! The kid who sits on the bench most of the basketball season. What she was doing there is beyond comprehension. The “she,” me! What was I thinking? I come from a family that calls croquet their favorite pastime sport. I have a preacher dad who thinks that a 3-point goal has something to do with a three point sermon leading to the goal at the end; and a mom who could have sworn that that football had four innings; and my sister, Tammy? Well she always liked the commercial and the popcorn.
 So what was little Alex Talbott (who was really never that little) doing sitting on the girls’ basketball team at Hamilton County High School in Jasper, Florida her junior year. How’d she make it? Unbeknownst to her, the fact that the coach was a member of her dad’s church likely made a big difference.
And so, to my family, who scratched their head at the thought of going to a high school basketball game, I was the underdog. When Coach put me in ½ of one inning, I mean quarter, to run up and down the court, my parents were thrilled. She put me in less when my parents couldn’t make it to the game. Well, this underdog, had just one opportunity handed her way! It was about ½ way through the season and Coach O’Cain put me in because my dad was there. When I was fouled, honestly, I didn’t even know it. And suddenly I was being swept to the free throw line. I whispered to a teammate, “How many do I get?” She signaled one (and she didn’t even roll her eyes). Yes indeed, it was that slow motion moment… the ball left may hands and up, up, up and no kidding it didn’t even hit the rim, in it went! The crowds roared…at least that’s what it sounded like to me. And there I stood as the ball suddenly was getting passed. My moment came and went. But I had it! That free throw was the only shot I made in the season. You know that night we won the game by one point!
What I learned that night and time after time in my life, is that moments come sometimes often where we can achieve the unthinkable and make a difference that likely even surprises ourselves. And in shock and amazement, we can give thanks.
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