More Than A Game

Question: When does a player on one High School basketball team get excited when a player on the opposing team scores? Answer: When they’re brothers.

Last Friday night, February 5, 2016, Franklin Road Academy was playing University School of Nashville. With 90 seconds remaining in the game, Franklin Road Academy inserted Robert Lewis into the game. For the past four years, Robert, who has Down’s Syndrome, has served as the team manager for Franklin Road Academy. But this was “Senior Night,” and Franklin Road Academy’s coach decided to put Robert in the game.

With just five seconds left in the game, Robert Lewis, being guarded by his younger brother, Matthew, sank a three-pointer from deep in the corner! A picture that was snapped just as he released his shot, shows the unmistakable hope that it would go in on his younger brother’s face. And “go in” it did; nothing but net!

Immediately, Matthew congratulated his brother, and the court was rushed by fans. Robert was hoisted up and carried off the court on the shoulders of his peers. What a beautiful scene! After the game, Robert was interviewed and he said, “I was so happy that everyone loved me so much, and after the game, everyone was crying with joy and I saw it through people’s eyes. And I loved it!” Robert also said he gained a new nickname by his friends. He said, “They now call me ‘Money’ because I make three-pointers.”

I’m constantly amazed by the power of compassion and kindness. It’s life-changing! It etches events so deep into our memories, they last a lifetime. May I challenge you today? Acts of life-changing, life-long lasting memories aren’t just created on the basketball court. They can be created anywhere; at home, school, and work. Let me challenge you to purposefully show compassion to someone this week. Not only can it be life-changing, it can actually become eternity-changing!