Another Tender Mercy

For those that don't know, Matt loves soccer. He has played on 5 or 6 intramural soccer teams throughout his time at BYU. BYU intramurals allow all teams to enter the playoff season and each team is eliminated in a single elimination competition until a champion is reached... so basically the entire regular season doesn't really mean anything since everyone can go to playoffs.

Every year Matt's team has had an AWESOME regular season, but they have NEVER been able to win a single playoff game.

:(

With Matt graduating this December, this was his last chance to clinch a playoff victory, and we were very excited to go (Even though the game started at James' regular bedtime).... we even said a prayer in the car for good luck :)

Within the first minute and a half of the game started I immediately knew this was going to be a rough night for Matt's team. Multiple players didn't show up leaving them shorthanded and the other team was REALLY good. Their foot skills were impeccable and they worked so well together. Matt was playing defense and within the first minute the guy that Matt was 'guarding' displayed some savvy footwork and scored a goal.

My heart sank.

I thought that the game was over and I was so sad for Matt because I knew how much this game meant to him. So what do I do? Well, I do what has worked for me in the past.... say a little prayer. It went a little something like this (quite literally): Heavenly Father, I am so grateful that Matt has an opportunity to play in this game because I know how much it means to him. I know that I shouldn't wish for the other team to lose, but Matt really wants to win this game. He hasn't been able to win a playoff game and he really wants to win one. I know I have asked for a lot of tender mercies, but if it is ok, please grant this particular tender mercy to Matt and I and allow his team to win the game.

I know it is a silly request, but at that moment, I deeply desired that Matt's team win the game because I knew HOW BADLY he wanted a victory. As soon as I said Amen (LITERALLY), the game completely changed. I don't know how exactly, but Matt's team just started clicking and by the end of the night it was 5-1 with Matt's team winning. In the car ride home, Matt said something like, Man I totally thought that we were going to lose tonight. Did you see how strong the other team was for the first couple minutes of the game?

I was then able to share with him this tender mercy and he too agrees that this game was definitely a gift from Heavenly Father.

I am so grateful for faith, prayer and tender mercies from my Heavenly Father.