How we love them!  I´m going to practice the American National hymn so that I can join the singing with my hand solemnly on my heart this coming Sunday at the final.

Memories from my soccer days are revived.  Let the newspaper readers scold at me all they want, I take a break now and pay again tribute to the star spangled banner.

Another soccer hero in my boyhood was the center forward of our national team.  He was also one of the young teachers in my school -  a real role model to us.  He later got married to one of the beautiful school girls.  I later called on him in his capacity of a school principal.  “My marriage is still intact”, he smiled.  Of course we talked soccer and talked about some of the high lights in his sports career.

I told him how Christ has come into my life and given me something else to live for.  “So you´ve got more than you bargained for”, he smiled again. I told him that I wanted to collect my old school friends and that I wanted him to be our guest of honor, and then we would all go out on the soccer ground to play. “I never forget your corners”, I flattered him, “Your kicking technique was very special!”  Something went wrong unfortunately, so my plan was not implemented.

But I remember how my heart went out to him as it does to the beautiful American soccer girls too these days.

Yesterday I met one of the Lutheran church goers I mingle a little with.  I asked him if he´d ever received Christ as his personal Savior.  “I can´t say that”, he said, but he was “churchy” and had even been on the church board.  I witnessed to him and told him how my “god” was once soccer and my church the stadium, “but now “king soccer” has been changed with “King Christ”.  He had my gospel card and he hopes to see me on Sunday.

How I wished I could give something in the hands of “our” American girls.  If you happen to know how I can get in touch with their coach, I may be able to do it that way.  Love makes you inventive, we sing in a song over here.

Anyway, Congratulations again, America.  You need a break too at this juncture full of so many severe problems.  Of course many of you already have that in the presence of our Lord and Savior.  And He has promised, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  (Ex.33:14).

July 13, 2011

-jn-