IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!
March brings us new life in the buds ready to bloom, the sprouts pushing through the hard, winter dirt and the temperatures that spread their wings into warmer arenas. Life is about winning with the birth of Spring and losing the winter browns, grays and cold, chilly wind chills. We are marching forward with expectancy into a new season full of hope and possibility. We look forward rather than backward and press on to new beginnings.
March also brings another aspect into the mix – March Madness. If you are a college basketball fan, this time year is one for winning, losing and marching. I love men’s college basketball and admit I get swept up into the hoopla this time of year. My favorite team–Xavier University–gets most of my attention but I tend to root for the underdog in the other match-ups. I stay up too late, scream loudly and enjoy every minute. If you are wondering if you have stumbled onto the wrong blog today, you haven’t. Just thought I would share a little known part of my personality. I also know how winning, losing and marching is a lesson for all.
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Just as Spring teaches us about new life and embracing what is to come, college basketball does the same. Each team prepares and works hard for this time of year. They look forward to entering the Big Dance (the NCAA tournament) and hope to march onto victory. But in the winning, losing and marching forward the teams make choices in how they will react and show the world what they are made of when it comes down to the final minutes.
Will winning bring a sense of graciousness toward the other team? How will a team handle losing a big game? If their team marches onto the next round, will they march with pride or gratitude in their hearts?
Just as Spring opens its doors for new life to enter and a college basketball team accepts the possibilities that come when playing in the tournament, we do the same in our walk with God. The lessons of winning, losing and marching abound. God teaches us that:
We win when we let Him lead the way. Working in harmony creates room for God to work in and through us.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
There are no losers when we embrace our identity as children of God. He cherishes every piece of who we are and loves us dearly.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1
We march forward into God’s story for us when our hope is in Him. God provides possibilities, a future and expectancy of eternal life.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30
May we know we are winners in God’s eyes as we march forward into His story for our lives.
Love and blessings!
You may find me hanging out at these lovely places today.
Love this! “We win when we let Him lead the way.” Isn’t that the truth? But not always easy for me. Hugs!
It is the truth but one that is not always easy for me. I pray we both have patience in the waiting for Him to reveal the answers to all of our questions. Happy new week!
No March Madness in our house but hubs is already gearing up for hockey play-off’s… the only other sport that seems to have no end of coverage!
Many of us have our favorite sport. What I love are the lessons we can learn from just anything in our everyday lives. I hope you came away with a few takeaways! Happy weekend!
Honestly, I wouldn’t have pictured you as such a die-hard basketball fan, screaming at your TV, Mary! Ha! But when I think about it, being the only girl in a gaggle of boys, I’d say it makes perfect sense! And so does your post about how to apply these truths from playing well and winning in our own “March Madness tournaments of life.” We are truly playing one way or another and I hope I always play with God as my coach and leader in all things. Thanks for inspiring us, my friend!
Yes I love March Madness and also love there are parts of my personality that might not seem typical, but growing up with brothers and then having sons created an atmosphere of competition. My mom also loved this time of year. She was very much into sports.
There is so much we can learn from something like March Madness. We just need to be open to finding the lessons in our everyday lives. Blessed to have you here my friend!
It is wonderful to look forward to all that spring means! I saw robins in my yard this week, and the first sign of tulips popping up in my garden. I’m quite happy about it all! And walking with the Lord, always looking ahead, at what HE has for us… is a joy too… great analogy!
I love that you are seeing signs of spring. The trees have been blooming for several weeks around here but it was probably a bit too soon. I’m hoping we still have a real spring. I pray we enjoy the journey and let God lead the way. We will never get lost that way.
Such a fun and encouraging post, Mary! God can teach us His lessons from so many different parts of life, if we are open to receiving. I love that you get into the March Madness. I’ll bet it’s something your boys enjoy sharing with you! Have a blessed week, my friend!
There are so many lessons from God especially in things we least expect such as March Madness. I do love college basketball and my sons do too. Hope your week is going well.
Mary, how fun to learn how much you love basketball! And March Madness! I enjoy watching the sport, but I don’t follow MM very much. Unless one of my guys mentions something about one of the teams. 🙂
As I read about the sense of anticipation Spring brings, it made me think about how each season’s arrival affects me. I love the promise of new life in spring, the opening of time and space in my spirit as summer comes, the warming and slowing as autumn makes its appearance and the slowing down and centering in that winter brings.
Such a fun post, my friend!
I thought you might be right there with me because of your sons. Sometimes it’s easier to join them than not join them. I saw some pictures of spring where you live and it seems to be confused. I do love the new beginnings that come with a new season as well as the change of colors and foliage. There is something so fresh in the surprises that come with each season. Love having you here as always!
It was so fun to learn this about you. I don’t usually watch, but I’m an underdog cheerer too when I do watch sports. I’m more of a college football fan. Nebraska Cornhuskers all the way! Great post friend!
Stick around and I’m sure you’ll more new things about me. There is something about cheering for the underdog that is so satisfying. Thank you for joining me and sharing your love for college football.
Our attitude as we march forward, whether we win or lose, is so important. I love the lessons you draw out here and the reminder that we are all winners in God’s eyes and we can march forward confident in that, knowing he is with us.
It is all about attitude isn’t it? How we win or lose and what we do with that lesson makes all the difference. I pray you believe that you are a winner in God’s eyes and stay confident in His love for you.
🙂 I confess that I follow Cornell University’s All About Birds “March Migration Madness” much more closely than that other tournament ;). Ah, the ‘Tweet Sixteen,’ the race to the ‘Chirpienship’…but I digress. I love the lesson you teach us about remembering that we need to win gracefully as well as lose gracefully–and we can because our identity isn’t in our stats, it’s in our Savior.
I seriously love that there is such a thing as the March Migration Madness. That is perfect for you. I hope the best bird wins! May we know we are always a winner in God’s eyes and we all have equal purpose in his kingdom.
I love spring and its new life, too, Mary. I’m not into any sports, although my kids and grandkids are. I like to root for the underdog. And I don’t like to call anyone a “loser.” When I play Uno with my grandkids, we play until there is only one left. They smile when I say, “No, no one lost. We just won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd…” 🙂 This truth especially moves me – “There are no losers when we embrace our identity as children of God. He cherishes every piece of who we are and loves us dearly.” It’s so amazing we are all winners, even champions, in His eyes, isn’t it? Thank you for these hope-filled thoughts! Love and hugs to you!
I love how you play Uno with your grandkids. No one is a loser and even though it’s a lesson we need to learn, it’s not one we need to prolong. I am sure your grandkids have such fun playing Uno with you. God does love us dearly and sees us all as equal and beautiful in his eyes. So glad you joined me and shared your own story of winning and losing.
Mary, I so enjoyed these truths you pulled from March Madness. “May we know we are winners in God’s eyes as we march forward into His story for our lives.” Amen! Marching forward with you!
Thank you Joanne! I love having you on the march and pray that we see we are always winners in His eyes. Blessings on the rest of your week.
I cheered for Xavier too, but now I’m hoping Gonzaga goes all the way since they’re my pick. 🙂 As an Auburn fan, we rarely have been in the tournament (and not even NIT this year). Love your closing line: “May we know we are winners in God’s eyes as we march forward into His story for our lives.” Thanks, Mary!
Thanks for cheering for Xavier! They played much better against Arizona but they will always have my heart. I pray the best team wins the tournament, but in the process we learn lessons of love when receiving wins or losses in our lives.
I love this comment you’ve sent our way, Mary … ‘Will winning bring a sense of graciousness toward the other team?’
Kindness and respect seem to be vanishing graces these days. Thanks for the gentle nudge toward being agents of mercy, of peace, of love.
Oh so needed …
Thank you! God led me forward as I was watching basketball last weekend especially when watching my favorite team lose. Your words of mercy, peace and love remind me of Micah 6:8. Praying you feel God’s gentle nudge this week when you least expect it. Love you!
Yes! He cherishes us all, and thank you for the reminder that it is Him that I walk for, not to please others. Our light shines when walking with HIm.
Amen! We are blessed beyond measure when we invite God to be our walking companion. There is nothing He loves more. Blessed to have you here Lynn!
I love knowing that you are a March Madness girl! I’m sure your boys love that about you, too. Marching forward along with you, expecting that God will do great and mighty things through quirky middle aged women with unexpected interests!
Well thanks! My sons do love it but growing up with four brothers I inherited a love of some sports too. I love how you are marching with me. I love our age and know that God has so much more for us.