Playing and Living with Reckless Abandon

My daughter Debbie is a very competitive person.  Growing up, everything was a game to be won.  And when she discovered soccer she lived out that fierce determination to win in every practice and every game.  Debbie played soccer through college, often scoring even from her sweeper position.  And now she plays for fun—mostly—in an adult women’s league, still loving it.

Here’s how it started:

Debbie has always hated to lose.

So when the Krazy Kittens, her soccer team of 7-year-olds, got behind 4-0, she had had it.  The other team was much better, and it was apparent the Kittens weren’t going to score much.  So the coach, recognizing Debbie’s passion, put her in the goal—her first time ever.

She was ferocious.  Leaping high to make saves.  Diving down, risking fingers and head.  Fighting for the ball.  One stop.  Another.  People came from surrounding soccer fields to watch this tiny tornado.

The final score?  4-0.  She made 25 stops.Reckless abandon.

Oh, that I would always live with such reckless abandon.  Such wholehearted passion.  Such fiery spirit.

It’s what God calls us to.  I believe it’s to be the norm, not the exception:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (Mark 12:30)

That’s everything.  Nothing held back.    No settling.  Love and live with a whole heart!

Debbie believed she could make a difference—and she did.

I believe I can make a difference for the Kingdom of God.  And I will.

If a 7-year-old can risk her hands and head to save goals, certainly I can risk everything—even my life—to save souls.

What about you? Will you give your all to make a difference?

c2013 Judy Douglass