Thursday; December 5

To say that the major college football team I follow had a down year would be an understatement.  To say they stunk would probably be more accurate.  Now, in the past, I would be getting to this time of year and start looking forward to pitchers and catchers reporting in February, but I have done something that will extend my college season a little bit further – I have been watching schools associated with the Football Championship Subdivision.  In all honesty, the schools who have been playing in this arena (and carried on ESPN+) have brought me a lot more joy than the “big boys”.  With the presence of Abilene Christian University (my alma mater) and South Dakota State University (the home school of some friends of mine) in the playoffs, my football watching is extended at least another week.  

The reason I being up the success of the Wildcats and the Jackrabbits is as a reminder that bigger isn’t always better.  Sometimes we can adjust our focus and find as much joy and excitement in the smaller blessings than we can in success on the big stage.  I would rather be watching these FCS schools than fussing about the disappointments of the major colleges.  In a parallel, success at a less prestigious job might bring more joy than a mediocre career in a big company.  Appreciating the beauty of snow covered country road might be more satisfying than dealing with the hustle and bustle of the bright lights of the big city.  I am not saying we need to settle for less.  What I am saying is that when we look for blessings that can be recognized wherever we can find them, we’ll experience more joy in life.  

How did your teams do this year?  Rather than complaining about them not getting invited to a major bowl or missing out on going bowling altogether, why not join me in finding another smaller school to follow for the rest of the year?  As we watch these games, let’s remember that bigger doesn’t always mean better – in sports or in life. 

Think About It!

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