Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

After winning a hard fought soccer game 2-1, my eleven year old son’s team experienced the worst display of sportsmanship I’ve ever witnessed.

It was so bad the referee marched back on the field and issued the entire losing team a yellow card. They lost the game and now they lost the respect of many.

What happened?

During their pre-handshake huddle, every member of the losing team spit in their hands. As my son’s team extended their hands and offered “good games”, they were greeted with wet hands and “you sucks.”

Disgusting. Disappointing. Inexcusable.

Thirteen boys chose to follow the example of one. Was it the idea of a player or a coach? How many thought it was a bad idea and just followed along? I’ll never know.

What I do know – that was dispicable sportsmanship. One I would never want my children to be a part of.

Driving to a different soccer field where my husband was coaching my youngest son’s team, I asked my  boys, “What would you do if your coach told you to spit in your hands before the after-game handshake?”

They quickly replied, “Our coaches would never tell us to do that.”

They were right. So after thanking God for their coaches and teammates, we talked about when it’s okay to disobey a coach’s command or a teammates suggestion.

We agreed when we think something is wrong we simply need to ask God for wisdom and courage. Wisdom to show us what to do and courage to follow through even when it goes against popular opinion.

And Jesus’ words in Luke 6:31 provide a great template to live by. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

One of the boys who spit in his right hand knew it was wrong. As he walked through the handshake line, he shook hands with his left. I was proud of him. I don’t know his name but his hand is one I would like to shake.  And in hindsight, after meditating on this verse, I would even choose to shake hands with the boys who spit in their hands because dispicable sportsmanship gives us a chance to shine His light even brighter.

What about you? How do you teach your children to please God while playing sports?

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