Things I learned from this Amazing Sport

It was a crazy weekend.  But worth every effort and energy.  I never thought much about the sport of soccer.  Only that it was a simple game.  Two teams, one ball, one goal.  Really, I mean how interesting can it possibly be? The fact is that this sport taught me so much in one weekend, I will never again see it the same way.  I have a deep respect for the sport now.

Alyssa now played competitive soccer now for nearly three years.  It all started as a sport for fun to learn new skills. Over the last few years, I've seen her develop rapidly in this area, to joining an amazing team of girls, developing friendships and winning championships. She was part of a real competitive team and now that we are heading to the big leagues, we see truth and reality come out.  As my husband said last night, all the girls' flaws were exposed.  It was tough no doubt, and we see the worst in every family come out.  And we know that every family values and sees their kid as "best."  When it came down to the last ounce of frustration, we would blame even the closest of friends. The blame just never ends, but this was an important lesson.

Things I learned from soccer:

1.  If you work together, take time to think, you can accomplish amazing things.
2.  People will push their way forward, no matter what it takes
3.  Some people refuse to adapt and be flexible and help their teammates, in the end their suffers.
4.  Frustration gets the best of us.  But at the same time, it teaches us how to deal with frustration.
5.  Your weakest link can be immediately exposed and taken advantage of fast.
6.  If everyone worked together, using their strengths to their advantage, we can accomplish a great goal.  No one is the best at everything.
7.  Sometimes one person has to suffer, or as they say, "take it for the team."

A great end indeed, to a crazy weekend. Thank you Jesus, for everything I learned over this soccer tournament weekend.  Thank you for being with us and for allowing our mother to be with us, watching over Alyssa, protecting her.  Despite the wins and losses, no one got seriously hurt and have grown tremendously.