In Need of a Cheerleader

Let’s be honest. There are some days when we just don’t want to have it all together! I’m a coach’s wife, and as such, I sometimes don’t want to be the patient listening ear for my coach and his frustrations. After all, isn’t it his fault that we are in our situations and dilemmas? Our kids miss their dad while he spends time with someone else’s kid.

In today’s devotion, I want to speak directly to the coach’s wives and hope that the rest of you can take away a small bit of spiritual encouragement, as well.

For many of us, in our hearts, we’re very proud of our coach, but we’re just a little resentful of the time that coaching requires. We’re weary of keeping it all together: home, school, church, etc. Juggling the schedule takes the organizational skills of a CEO, but we don’t get the pay or the recognition. While there can be a level of “glamour” to the coaching lifestyle, most of our lives are lived out behind the scenes where no one seems to notice or care about the sacrifices we make in order for our coach to be all that he can be.

It would be nice to have someone on the sidelines of our lives, cheering us on. “You can do it!” “Don’t give up!” “Two, four, six, eight…Coach’s wife, you’re really great!”

In our lifestyles, I believe we, as coaches’ wives, should be each other’s cheerleaders. Coaches’ wives understand each other and our unique struggles better than anyone. Oftentimes we are left feeling isolated and misunderstood by our friends who live more “normal” lives. But the Bible tells us in Ecclesiastics 4:9 that “two are better than one.” And in Romans 1:12 it says that we can be “mutually encouraged by each other's faith.”

For the coaches’ wives out there, if you happen to have this type of friendship with another coach’s wife, count your blessings. If not, rest assured that your Father in Heaven, who sees all, is cheering you on. In fact, keep in mind that one of the names used for God is, El Roi: “the God who sees me.” He sees you. He knows the sacrifices you make. He loves you and will strengthen you.

For the rest of you athletes and coaches out there, it’s a lesson that we can all keep in mind. Whatever situation you find yourself in, ask the Lord to place others in your path whom you can encourage. If you understand someone’s situation, take the time to encourage that person toward Christ. May we all be each other’s spiritual and personal cheerleaders today!