Thursday, February 13, 2014

A Lesson from Ice Hockey

"the whole armor"
Ephesians 6:11

I'm thinking about ice hockey today, but surprisingly, I'm not thinking so much about Olympic hockey.

{This, despite the fact that the American women were robbed today.  
The whistle clearly blew before the puck went in the net.  
But it's okay.  Stuff happens.  
And this game wasn't for a medal.
And I like Canada.}

No, I'm thinking about my kids.  The two NHL hockey teams nearest to us (the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings) sponsor activities to introduce hockey to kids, so every Tuesday this month we are going to a rink not too far from our house, and our kids are getting to experience a little bit of ice hockey.  The rink lends them all the equipment, and there are numerous coaches on the ice, running drills, giving advice, etc.  It's a really well-run program.  And it's all free.

The Apple of my Eye signed them up for it a few weeks ago, and he was very excited about them having the experience.  He's been playing ice and roller hockey for thirty years, and it's a sport he loves, so he was thrilled to share it with them.

Last week was their first time, and things were slow at his work, so he was able to take the day off of work to join us.  It turned out to be very good decision, as the three of us had very little experience in donning all the gear (socks, shin/knee guards, socks, pants, skates, shoulder pads, elbow pads, jersey, helmet.  In that order.  Now I know.)

But this past Tuesday, he couldn't be with us.  Man's gotta earn us a living, after all.  But he was still so helpful.  The night before, he made sure they had all their equipment in their bags. (The rink let all the kids take home everything in-between times, so they didn't have to search for fitting stuff again every week.) 

He made sure they both had tape in their bags, and reminded them to bring clothes to change into afterwards.  And he gave them instructions to check the blades on the rental skates, showing them on his own skates what "sharp" feels like and telling them to ask for a different pair if they felt theirs were too dull.  I thought it was so sweet, how thoughtful he was.  This was important to him, and he wanted them to be well-prepared.

The whole thing got me thinking about Ephesians 6, and that wonderful passage about the armor of God.  I was reminded that God wants us to be ready for anything; to be protected and well-equipped.  But He does more than just want it, He instructs us, and shows us, and even more, promises to be with us always. 

Isn't that just like a Father?

~ "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,
having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith...
And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God;
praying always with all prayer..." ~
Ephesians 6:14-18
~

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