It's funny how a basketball game can teach me new and deeper lessons on praying.
I have never been a basketball or any sports fan, so when my boyfriend asked me to accompany him in one of the FIBA Asia 2013 games I practiced faking excitement. Ehehe. He is a basketball die hard, as for me, I did not know anything. The live game was a stress experience. I am the contemplative type, so put me in a panic people crowd, it would definitely drive me nuts.
So during my first live game experience I resorted my stress to praying. Different things were happening, drummers on the left side, people shouting bad words at the back of our seats, missed shots in the court, photographers and cameramen running at the courtsides (yes, I'm observing them) and falling popcorns from our snacks. Me, I am silently and continuously praying my Hail Mary's because I am too nervous and distracted like that.
Then my Hail Mary's were translated to Thank You Lord for every point from the Philippine Team. I was saying thank you's for the game even before they have beaten the HK team. Realized that I was thanking the Lord in advance even when the victory is still 10 minutes away. That was the first prayer lesson, to Thank the Lord is a way of placing my trust that He will grant what I am asking for.
Semi Finals, Philippines versus Korea. This time my Hail Mary's were transformed to Glory Be's. As each shot turned as a point for the Philippines, I would be automatically praying one Glory Be. That Saturday night victory was I think the sweetest win for the team. First, because it gave us the sure Silver medal and the Spain ticket. Second, but the more important, was that it showed that these guys where playing for a greater someone. It was a humbling scene to see great heroes kneeling down and looking up to offer their victory to the Lord. Second prayer lesson: to bring all the glory to the Almighty.
The last game, that Finals game, was a heart breaker. I was asking where would the hashtag puso can bring the team, the crowd, the Filipino. For me Puso was a sure tagline, win or lose we can use it, dehado man o llamado para sa'tin yun. 10 points lead from Iran, I found myself praying the Our Father this time. The line that struck me was predictable "..holy be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done." At that time I was not readying myself for the defeat, I was praying that because I just felt that it was the appropriate supplication one. At the end of the game it made sense, the last lesson is that above all our expectations we should all learn to allow God's will to happen. Puso was more than a victory cry, it is a readying call to be strong no matter what. To keep the composure and the champion's attitude no matter how short we are or no matter what place we end up. Trusting everything to the will of the Lord and having the heart to accept the turnout.
See, I'm not really a basketball fan, I was reflecting these things during the those games instead of focusing in their defenses and rebounds. Thank you FIBA for the much needed reflections. PUSO! LABAN PILIPINAS! Deo Gloria!
(I find inspirations and reflection ideas through basketball games, maipilit sa creative blog)
