Awhile ago, I had the opportunity to be with a Sports Ministry Leadership Team of 5 men and 2 women. To kick off the meeting, the Sports Ministry Leader asked this question, “What are your favorite sports memories?”
While it took a little time to “prime the pump,” once things got rolling all the eyes lit up and the emotions began to flow. Joy, sadness, laughter, and good-humored harassment all spilled out as the group told of spectating historic events, participating on a memorable team, or making a spectacular play.
As the meeting moved on, I reflected on what just happened. I had been with this group before and the community I just observed was somewhat unique. It made me wonder what enabled this special event to take place.
“Sports tap deeply into our hearts – for all who participate.” This is the conclusion I came to.
I realized that what I witnessed was a rather unique opening of their hearts with one another and a sharing in those experiences made possible by the realm of sports.
When I got home, I picked up the July 22, 2013 Sports Illustrated that I hadn’t read yet. In the Leading Off section in the front of the magazine was an article titled, The Tweetest Things.
SI.com senior editor Richard Deitsch tweeted about how cool it would be to have a picture of one’s greatest moment. Within hours hundreds of photos came pouring in, and among the shots of graduation, child births, and family reunions were a trove of sports scenes.
The article then included some 15 pictures with captions explaining these memorable moments. I found myself moved by the stories of complete strangers as I read over these captions.
It was the same experience – Sports touch our hearts deeply.
This is why sports make such a great Bridge and a great Laboratory.
By the way, what are your favorite sports memories? We’d love to hear from you by either commenting in this blog or emailing your stories to bschindler@csosports.org. We’ll be sure to pass along those that are shared.
In the meantime, next time you are in a group or just with someone else, how about asking this question, “What are some of your favorite sports memories?” and see what happens?
