Set, Spike, Score

Last updated on: November 2, 2023 at 9:30 am by Faith E. Richardson

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Set, Spike, Score 2023-08-17T13:03:55-06:00 Faith E. Richardson

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Volley Ball Game

Set, Spike, Score. Pixabay.com

Amazing how two team members working side by side on the volleyball court can experience the exact same situation and walk away with polar opposite perceptions.

Ego and Pride Change the Dynamics of the Game

Here we are keeping the volleyball in a perfect volley for 2 months solid when Ego and Pride join the game. We quickly divide and the real games begin.

The volley continues but not without confrontation. I begin to tire and experience brain fog. Not able to fully concentrate, a time-out is called, and Certainty and Confidence are quickly substituted by Doubt and Fear.

The whistle is blown, and the match begins again. I set the ball perfectly to Doubt who hesitates and barely reaches the ball in time to launch it over the net when the team member on the opposite side jumps at exactly the right moment to spike the ball back inside the boundary. The ball whizzes by, barely missing my face. The referee blows the whistle, and we lose a point. I lock eyes with my opponent. Are we not on the same team?

Did I join the Wrong Team?

I shake it off and work alongside Doubt and Fear as the volleyball game continues. Maybe I shouldn’t have joined this team. Doubt encourages me with a pat on the back. I look over at the sidelines where Honor and Integrity are benched. Honor is pacing back and forth wanting desperately to rejoin the game while Integrity does a face-palm emoji pose, shaking her head.

Evening approaches and we are nowhere near the end of the game so, for the safety of the team, the referee calls another time-out. He sets the guidelines for tomorrow’s match, and we go our separate ways.

Uncertainty Provides a Blanket

As I walk home, Contemplation along with Uncertainty join me. We walk in silence for some time pondering what just took place. Contemplation analyses each component of the match while Uncertainty creatively considers each possible outcome for tomorrow’s game – all negative of course. I keep quiet as I do not wish to interact with either of them, but I fully listen to all they have to say. I allow this blanket of negativity to wrap me up like a camper in a sleeping bag on a cool summer evening.

Turn on to Truth’s Path

Continuing home we turn onto Truth’s path. Uncertainty says her goodbyes and Contemplation and I are met by Honor and Integrity. The four of us continue down Truth’s path admiring the beauty. I’ve always loved this path; green and lush, teaming with love and life. I look up as Respect and Honesty flutter by with iridescent wings.

Honor and Integrity each grab my hands and we run toward Wisdom whom I can now see through the rainbow prisms created by Truth’s light through Integrity’s wings. As we approach, I remember that He is always with me. I am never alone. I sit with Him for a while basking in His sweet fragrance. When I look up from His embrace, I realize I’m home.

Hopefull

I know now when tomorrow’s match begins, I will request Doubt and Fear be substituted by Honor and Integrity once again. No matter the outcome, I will rejoice and be glad in this day and be ever so thankful that I will always have Wisdom as my friend. I’m hopeful that when this match is over, we can all celebrate with Love and Grace.

Evangelical

Women in Religion

Metaphorically Speaking

About Faith E. Richardson

Faith E. Richardson was born in Traverse City, Michigan. She lived there nine short years before moving with her mom to Fort Worth, Texas where she would remain for another eighteen years. After meeting Trent, the love of her life, they married and moved to Colorado where they raised their two children. Faith studied writing at the Institute of Children's Literature in West Redding, Connecticut and is a current member of the Wolf Creek Christian Writers Network. She is an award-winning author with several books currently available. Currently retired from decades of human resource work, Faith renewed her passion for writing. Her life experiences and dramatic flair for storytelling draw the reader in with thought-provoking material on the wonder and truth of spiritual encounters. She desires to get her readers as excited about the Holy Spirit as she is. You can read more about the author here.

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