God's Coaching #312

God's Coaching #312

Tom Dempsey was born with no toes on his right foot and with partial fingers on his right hand. That’s not exactly how a lot of future NFL players start off in life. But the New Orleans Saints kicker made professional football history on this day in 1970 by booting a 63-yard field goal to beat the Detroit Lions with two seconds left in the game.

“The Kick,” as it’s still called, made Tom famous, but most people know little about the rest of his career. Tom played 10 years in the NFL and went to the Pro Bowl his rookie season. In college he was actually an all-conference defensive end and started kicking when his coach asked every player to try a kickoff. Tom boomed the ball. In high school he was on the wrestling and track teams, too. Kids had made fun of his hand and foot when he was young, but Tom didn’t let the disability slow him down. After his football career was over, he even spoke to school groups about overcoming life’s obstacles. One moment made Tom famous, but it was a million small moments that shaped his life.

What’s the Score?

What will your greatest moment be? You might never have one big moment of fame—but you will have a lifetime of daily successes and failures that will shape who you are.

The Bible teaches us to be consistent and committed to God in every moment. Tom Dempsey didn’t even realize how long his famous kick was at the time. He found out it was a record breaker after the game. He was simply doing what he always did to try to help his team win—making the best of a small moment. The apostle Paul wrote his letter to Titus to encourage the church leader to stay consistent in all the little things. That’s the kind of effort that builds integrity. Do your best to show consistent strength with your life. That’s the kind of faithfulness that makes God happy.

On the Ball

Do today well. Focus on the little things of living out God’s Word and loving the people around you. Jot down some ideas of little things that can add up to something big:

Coach’s Comment

You yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Titus 2:7