The waiting room at the doctor’s office was packed, and the receptionist confirmed that appointments were running an hour behind. Yet the room was quiet and no one seemed upset about the situation.
I noticed this big blond-haired athletic looking guy sitting over by the water fountain. He looked a lot like Erling Haaland, the Norwegian premier league footballer.
I walked over to get a drink and take a closer look. It was Erling Haaland! But why didn’t anyone else recognize him? And how on earth could we have the same general practitioner?!
A dream doesn’t need to make sense.π₯Έ
Just as I start to talk with Erling, two boys in matching soccer uniforms came by. They looked to be about eight or nine years old, and one had a bag of ice taped around his shin. His teammate was helping him hobble along.
Thinking it would be cool for them to meet a superstar pro soccer player ( they didn’t seem to recognize him either) I asked the boys, “Do you play soccer?” The uninjured one replied, “Yes, but not well. I was going for the ball and kicked my friend in the shin.”
Erling smiled and asked the lads, “Where are your shin guards?”
“We were playing without them,” the boys answered in unison.
The big Norwegian chuckled, “You won’t do that again!”
Both looked at the floor. “Chins up. I’ve done it too,” Haaland winked.
He then told them how he started playing soccer at age five, and that safety is important, because you must protect yourself so you can keep playing the game and get better.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 (NIV)
These words by the Apostle Paul point back to his conversion experience. He zealously arrested early Christians and brought them to Jerusalem for trial, until one day when God called to him with blinding light, knocking him off his horse. In so many words the Lord said, “Saul, why are you kicking me in the shin? You won’t do that again!”
As far as we know, Paul didn’t; he never persecuted another follower of Christ but became God’s ambassador to the gentiles.
Kind reader, are you and I playing on Christ’s team the right way–wearing the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17)?
- π‘οΈThe Belt of Truth
- π‘οΈThe Breastplate of Righteousness
- π‘οΈThe Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
- π‘οΈThe Shield of Faith
- π‘οΈThe Helmet of Salvation
- π‘οΈThe Sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God)
Today, and every day, may we suit up and play for the heavenly prize. Because Erling Haaland and the Apostle Paul would both agree: a shot on goal is never a bad play.
Thank you for reading. πβ€οΈ Prayers and love.
Do you enjoy family friendly short short stories? Please visit my other blog Flash Fiction by David
If you like micro poetry, specifically Haiku, please visit my other blog All Haiku.
Davids Daily Dose 
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