"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" - Jeremiah 29:11
On October 18, 2002, Jake Porter, 17, was a member of the Northwest High
football team in McDermott, Ohio. Jake was born with chromosomal fragile X
syndrome, a common cause of mental retardation. He couldn't read or write, but
he loved football and he faithfully attended every practice. Northwest coach
Dave Frantz wanted to do something special for Jake. So before the game on
October 18, against Waverly High, Frantz called his friend Derek Dewitt, the
head coach at Waverly. Frantz suggested that both teams allow Jake to run one
play at the end of the game, assuming the game wasn't on the line. Jake would
get the ball and take a knee, and the game would end. So, with Waverly leading
42-0 and five seconds left in the game, Frantz called a timeout.
Jake trotted out to the huddle, and the two coaches met at midfield. But a
disagreement broke out between the coaches. Waverly's Dewitt wanted Jake to
score a touchdown, not merely take a knee. Dewitt called his defense over and
said, "They're going to give the ball to number 45. Do not touch him! Open up a
hole and let him score! Understand?" The ball was snapped and Jake was about to
kneel when his teammates stopped him and told him to run. Suddenly, the Waverly
defense parted like peasants for the king and cheered him to the end zone.
Players on both sidelines held their helmets to the sky and whooped. Jake had
the run of his life, scoring the touchdown heard round the world, all because of
Dewitt's unselfish decision: "I want him to score."
Like coach Dewitt, God has high purposes for each of us. He wants us to score a
touchdown. Today in prayer, thank Christ for the great prosperous plans He has
for your life and seek to follow Him all of your life.
"God has raised you up to succeed and not to fail. If you will align yourself
with God's Will for your life, you will discover that He is on your side!" -
Gary Smith
God's Word: "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you
planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they
would be too many to declare." - Psalm 40:5
By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2003, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN JEREMIAH AND
LAMENTATIONS pkennedy@devotional.com
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