Losers or Winners?

It’s Wednesday night again. A group of men meet up weekly to support and encourage each other and find accountability for living out their faith.  A football player turned pastor speaks each week.  He tells Sooner and Gator team stories and pounds home the basics about confidence, family and purity.  Sometimes he hits where it hurts, but the guys love him!

This Wednesday is a winner. One of the guys, Harley, gets a call from his wife just as the group gets started.  The police have showed up at his house.  Harley guesses it concerns one of their sons.  Harley uses public transportation to get around since his driver’s license was revoked, so one of the guys will have to drive him home now for the police search or questioning or whatever.  Sure enough, several cruisers await Harley’s return.

RJ, another of the guys, reports that he was pulled over as he drove in. When the cop checked out his license, it turned up as expired.  RJ is not sure what happened with the expiration date or paperwork but he’s worried about the fees; he’s still looking for a job. The guys assure RJ they will cover any costs he can’t, so that he will be able to drive and secure a good job.

Charles attends most weeks. He was recruited to the group by one of the guys.  They worked at the same company and the co-worker had been especially caring during the summer Charles spent in an alcohol rehab program.  There is new concern though; it seems that Charles is drinking again, even this night.

So what’s going on with these men? Are they all a bunch of losers?  Well, yes and no.  We all have our issues.  Everyone faces stuff.  But these guys are winners in that they know where to be in order to heal and grow.  Their hope is in applying God’s message to their messes.  Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  (Mark 2:17)  If you’re not seeking out Jesus this Wednesday, it may be that you haven’t noticed your symptoms yet.

NOTE: Names and identifying details were altered but the events actually happened on one evening.

Author: Brenda Proulx

Wife, mother and grandmother, educator and someone who thinks about the things I observe. I am the daughter of a writer; my dad's career was in the field of journalism. More significantly, I am God's child, a person believing in Jesus Christ and in His timeless Word. Blogging is new to me but I feel like I've always had a pen in my hand. I jot notes in my planner, mark papers, underline verses, write many letters, and occasionally draft articles for work or church. When I am not holding a pen, I am probably cuddling a mug of coffee. View all posts by Brenda Proulx