“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
This next week is the start of what many consider, “The most wonderful time of the year.” That’s right, it is football season. This week the college football season begins. No more scrimmages, no more two-a-days, not more summer work out camps. It’s game time! I must admit I am a bit of a football junkie. I follow as much football as I possible. One story this week really captured my attention and it is about football team I rarely watch and a player I have never heard about.
Justin Juenemann is the backup kicker for the Golden Gophers of the University of Minnesota. Justin is not really a player of note. He has never actually been in a game at Minnesota. He was not a highly-recruited student-athlete. Justin has never been in the news for bad behavior. Justin does not even have a scholarship to play football…until now.
This unknown backup made national news recently, not because of anything he did on the gridiron, but because of all he has done to bless the students at the Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis and because he had worked hard in class and on the practice field.
In a total team meeting, head coach, PJ Fleck and a teenage patient from the hospital addressed the team. The young patient, Kyle Tanner, was given a chance to tell the team who his favorite player was. Kyle singled out Justin Juenemann. Kyle and Coach Fleck let Justin know that he had earned a full scholarship for his senior year. The team jumped from their seats and threw Justin on their shoulders. It was truly a joyful moment for everybody.
Coach Fleck later told the team, “I’ve never seen anybody serve and give more than that guy, who is not a star player, who hasn’t played, where his face is recognizable. He could easily just no do it and nobody would every say anything, and all he does is continue to keep his oar in the water, live that holistic life academically, athletically, socially and spiritually.” It is easy to see that everyone on the Golden Gophers appreciated Justin!
This great story of gratitude made its’ way around the country not because of the star power of Justin Juenemann, but because it was a story of gratitude that resonates with our souls. Gratitude speaks to our hearts. It reminds us of the good news that surrounds us. Coach Fleck and the Golden Gophers reminded me this week that we have so much to be thankful for. There are so many good things around us. When we see good, when we see people doing good, we should stop and give thanks. It is good for the soul.
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor
To see the full video, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4znQfYy_Ha8
