Adelfos means "brother" in Greek and was also our theme for the beginning of the year retreat earlier this week. In the attempt of creating a family, we asked our athletes to accept each other as brothers. I wanted to teach them what this meant... not just say it and expect it to magically happen! This is what I taught them...
If you want to create a family, you have to die to your self and live in your other family members. The example I can give our athletes is easy. Come to practice focused and ready to give maximum effort, not for your own glory but the glory of the team. No matter who's reading this, you can apply this to yourself. Are you dying to your self... for the people you love?
In my own life: As a husband, do I do the dishes and laundry when my wife asks me to? As a coach, do I prepare for every practice like I should? As a friend, do I pray constantly for what my friends need prayer for? As a son and brother, do I visit and keep up with my family constantly?
Love is hard work. It is not easy to die to your self for the well being of someone else. That is part of what makes love so special. Not everyone is willing to be great at it. Luckily, as Christians, we have the best example to learn from. (thank you jesus!)
Adelfos = Brother = Family = Love. As thousands of teams across the country worry and fret over an undefeated season, this is what I will be praying and coaching upon.
