The Risk of Losing
When teaching youngsters and oldsters alike about winning and losing, we rarely if ever mention the gift of losing. I just witnessed my son's playoff football game which by odd circumstances too long to recount, ended up coming down to one last play with three lousy seconds showing on the clock. We were ahead, and by some quirk of time and effort, the opponents got four cracks at the end zone in the last minute in an attempt to steal a sure victory from us. Just minutes before we had been relaxed and waiting to win. Now we could lose. What a drama and what a risk.
When my son gets old like me, he will remember this drama. He would not have remembered with any clarity a thirty point blowout. But he will remember that he was a cornerback who knew they would pass. He will remember that he knew they were likely to come his wa the taut nerves and the responsibility on his shoulders. These things he will remember.
When there is no risk of losing, there is no joy in winning. A philosopher whose name I do not recall once said that our capacity for joy is carved out by our experience of sorrow. So true in sports and games. Losing is a gift that allows winning to be a joy. In a sense, if you've never lost, you can never win. True sportsters know this is true and appreciate it.
By the way, the pass sailed high. The clock ran out. We won. My son won. We all howled and hooted and stomped our feet. We hugged and laughed and cried and breathed great sighs of relief. We were thankful to stay alive in the playoffs and filled with joy because we could see and play at least one more game.......and we remembered......we remembered that we started the season 0-5.
Losing made winning very sweet.
About the Author:
Steve Graner is a Christian educator and familyman employed by the Minot, ND Public School District. A licensed laypastor, he is passionate about Christian writing and Christian drama. Along with family and friends, Steve has performed numerous self-written dramas and musicals for area church audiences.