God, Your Family, and the Green Bay Packers

There are many quotes attributed to Vince that the coach became famous for having said:  "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."  (lots of confusion about that one, by the way, and frequently taken out of context.) 

There are several others that I enjoy and appreciate, but thought with it being a Sunday game-day again, it would be good to focus on what he told his team should be their priority list for life.

He told his team they would be successful if they would focus on three things and three things only.

"Your God, your family, and the Green Bay Packers."  Coach Vince Lombardi

Coach Lombardi attended daily mass - actually started academically down a path toward the priesthood, then taught and coached at St. Cecelia's Catholic High School in New Jersey.  He coached basketball and football there, and knew nothing about basketball - but still lead the team to a winning record.

Whatever we might be inclined to insert as number three on our list - the first two are excellent choices for how we should orient our lives.

My faith is extremely important to me.  The abundant blessings in my life are undeserved and unmerited - gifts from a loving God.  The difficult stretches were also blessings as I recognized a loving Lord and Savior who conquered sin, death, and the devil for me.  His love and presence reminded me that difficult stretches were not going to last and that with His guidance I would emerge on the other side.  Realizing the free gift of forgiveness and salvation provides a sense of freedom and appreciation in my life.

It's been said by others that our families are made of people we love even if there are times when we might not like them very much (or like us).  I know there are many, many times I'm not so likeable and appreciate that my family stuck by and loves me anyway.  Our families are our "team" that we want to take care of, nourish, and protect.  Our families are one of our greatest blessings.

Some time back, Coach Jim Valvano, in receiving an award from ESPN quoted Vince.  It was the occasion of coaching his first basketball game, Rutgers University freshman squad.  He thought Vince's lines would fire up his team, so he memorized it and was sure to change it to, "Your God, your family, and Rutgers basketball."

He paced back and forth, looking at his players asking them to concentrate on him.  Finally, as time is running out before the game is to start he faced the team and admonished them that the season would be a success if they did three things and three things only... concentrate on their God, their family, and the Green Bay Packers!

(I suspect he got the right team into his pregame pep talk for later teams as he had a long and successful coaching career.)

Our jobs too, are a great gift.  Its good for us to have a purpose, to earn a living.  A elementary school teacher of mine was fond of reminding her class in those late morning hours of class... "that those who will not work, neither shall they eat."  It proved to be motivating for most of us sitting in her class.  Through our work, we are able to serve and help others - a great opportunity for us.

As we enjoy another afternoon and evening of NFL football - enjoy your team and the fun that goes with it - but lets not forget there are two spots above our team that should have a higher level of allegiance.
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After a game like today's against the Cowboys - whew - after seemingly no hope and no answers - the team dug deep and pulled it out in Dallas!  Go - Packers!!