Respect of Opponents (They're not our enemies) - Part 2

Howdy T Bar M Family Matters Friends. Time is flying by- already mid October!! It has been nearly two months since our campus was teeming with cheering, enthusiastic campers engaging in competition (COMPETITION, COMPETITION, COMPETITION…)! We are all aware that competition is a part of life - not just camp. We all have competitors in our lives, be it academics, athletics, band, colleagues and even neighbors.  So...how's your level of competition going this fall? 
 
Here at camp, we have the Alphas and Omegas cheering, sweating and giving their all in sports.   They’re living out our motto..."Don't Waste Fun!" Our coaches (also Alphas and Omegas) lead by example with their best attitudes and respect for their opponents while cheering on their teams and campers to be FUAGNEM (fired up and going nuts every minute)!!
 
How crazy life can get with such strong feelings and emotions against our opponents. We scream, put others down and lose our cool--all the while praying for victory over them. Silly huh? GUILTY!! I've been there and done that too many times.
 
Let's take a step back (deep breath) and consider our responses and attitudes toward our opponents. These representations help take the focus off of me and my might, and on Whom I am ultimately competing for.

• It wouldn't be much of a game or fun if they were not present. Our competitors provide a good measure of where we are in the level of our game or performance. 
• Secondly, talking smack or gloating doesn't elevate our performance or personality. Rather, such conduct diminishes our character. Try being kind, giving words of encouragement--they will be shocked and even caught off guard.
• Take a tip from my "playbook on life"-- to keep my actions in check I often visualize an imaginary cross on my opponent’s face by using his nose and eyebrows. Other cross visualizations can be found in a goalpost, the strings of a tennis racket, your shoelaces, and volleyball, basketball, and soccer nets---even on a page of music. 

 
Speaking of the cross, may we never forget our Savior's example… hanging on the cross while His opponents jeered and ridiculed, embodying the ultimate offenses of an opponent. How did Christ respond? In love, He asked His Father to "forgive them; they know not what they do," Luke 23:34, as He gave His very life for them. Since Christ is our example and lives in our lives, let's compete at the highest level possible and be a blessing to our opponents.
By the way…when was the last time your family had a good dose of family competition? Keep it fun and friendly-- remember the #1 rule of T Bar M Camps ---Don't Waste Fun!