Well folks, it is half-time and the home team is losing. What does a coach say to his players in the locker room? The defense has been pushed around and scored upon. The offense has punted the ball more times than gaining first downs. Remember coach, these are young men. If in high school, they have a lot to learn and are impressionable. If in college, they are making more money than you, thanks to the NIL.
It was in 1969 when I last sat in on a half-time pep talk as a player. That was in high school. I don’t remember a word that was said. Maybe it was because we were winning. LOL. But perhaps a pep talk needs discussing.
Consider the world today young men are facing. Especially those that may live in an unstable home environment. Teenagers today, no longer have that childhood innocence that Jesus referred to in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 18 verse 4. They all, simply grow out of it.
As adults, do we find it easy to criticize youth today? Example: Look at those sagging pants, look at all those tattoos. Doesn’t he know how to say, “yes sir, and no sir.”
Jesus tells a story in the gospel of Luke in the Holy Bible, chapter 18 verses 9-14. The story is about two men praying in the temple. The first man is prideful, arrogant and standing as he prayed. He prayed that he was thankful he was not like other people who were swindlers, unjust, adulterers or even like this other man, a tax collector, here in the temple. My point is, do we always look for the bad in a person. The good may not be as easy to spot as saggy pants, but do we really look for it?
The second man praying in the temple stated this prayer: “Lord be merciful to me, a sinner.” He lowered his eyes and bowed his head while beating his chest. What if? What if the first man, stopped his prayer and listened to the second man? What if he had walked over to him, placed his arm around his shoulder and said, “I know how you feel. I am a sinner too. What can I do to help?”
Start with the low hanging fruit. 1) Johnny, just stay focused and you will catch the next pass. 2) I really appreciate you showing up for work today. 3) Thank you for holding the door open for me. And smile when you say it! This is encouragement.
Encouragement will lead to motivation. Encouragement will lead to putting forth the effort. A young person likes to hear and needs to hear, good things said about him. It is important for a teenager to hear positive support early in his life, whether it comes from a parent or another adult. Seemingly praise from one’s peers can be misplaced if it comes after the wrong action.
One of the best descriptions of motivation comes from NFL football coach Bum Phillips who is quoted in the preface of a biography of Coach Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant. He writes: “The Bear can take his team and beat yours. Then, he can take your team and beat his.”
Team play is often compared to life. A team faces challenges. Life is full of challenges. What a person does when the opposition is difficult determines the outcome. Coaches change and players change. God does not change. God offers encouragement, we just have to listen. “Go and sin no more.” Ref. John chapter 8, verse 11. God offers motivation; “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great…” Ref. Matthew chapter 5 verse 12.
Walter Allen is a graduate of TCHS and Auburn University. He is retired from the paper industry and is a published author. A former president of the Laurens County Museum Assoc. in Laurens, SC. He lives in Tuscaloosa County, AL.
