I Married a Cheerleader

This time of year I like to watch college football on the weekends. I actually enjoy college football more than professional football. I like the enthusiasm and energy of seventy five thousand people sitting on the edge of their seats screaming for their team. If you have ever been to a college football game you know what I’m talking about. I also get a kick out of watching the cheerleaders root for their team. I was watching a college game on tv the other day and one team was losing badly. However you would never have guessed that by watching the cheerleaders. They were jumping up and down cheering their team on like they were winning the game.

I think everyone needs a cheerleader in their life. Fortunately for me I married one. My wife Karen was a cheerleader for Point Loma Nazarene University in her freshman year. Here is a picture of karen in her cheerleading days. When her cheerleading career came to an end she continued to be a cheerleader. Let me explain. Karen has the ability to cheer people on when it’s obvious they are losing. Last week I woke up with that terrible sinking feeling. I felt like I was losing. I was depressed. It’s been a tough year for me. I asked Karen if she would like to do a prayer walk with me. She was very busy and at first she said no but I think she sensed I needed the cheerleader in her so she changed her mind.

As we walked I began to pour out my heart. She listened and soon began speaking life back into me. I was seeing everything in a very negative way. For every point I made about how bad things are Karen had a counter point about how good things are. As we walked along I started to feel better about things. By the time we finished our walk I felt like I had received a hope transfusion into my soul.

In the book of Acts Barnabas plays a major role in the formation of the church. His name means son of encouragement and he lived up to his name. Barnabas teamed up with the apostle Paul. I’m sure there were days when Paul needed some encouragement, especially after being flogged for the 3rd or 4th time. Everyone needs to have someone in their life who will be a cheerleader for them when they are going through a rough season. You may not be a natural born cheerleader like my wife but all of us can play that role when someone is struggling and needs someone to cheer them on. By the way, I was a yell leader in college. Don’t believe it? Check out the picture below. I wasn’t a natural born yell leader but I learned how to cheer for my team and so can you. Are you going through a difficult season of life?

I encourage you to find someone who has that cheerleading spirit like Barnabas or my wife Karen. If things are going well for you, find someone who needs encouragement and be a cheerleader for them. 

Cheering you on,

Steve 

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