Columbus BlueJackets
Tonight my husband and I will walk across the street to Nationwide Arena to watch the hockey game – Blue Jackets vs San Jose Sharks. What a fun thing to do on a dreary and cold Wednesday evening! We will enjoy watching Mark Methot, our neighbor from across the hall, have another great game.
We met Mark last year at a condo mixer honoring our hockey player neighbors. He is a humble, respectful young man and very easy to talk to. When Jeff and I first saw the players coming back after the summer, my husband commented that Mark had bulked up from the lean, mean player of last year.
Mark started on third line. He broke out and scored goals in the first few games and moved up to second line. The Dispatch called him, “… A physical specimen who isn’t afraid to fight.” We saw Mark’s scrappy determination against Pittsburg in an altercation in front of our goal. The Blue Jackets lost that game in a face off. Jeff congratulated Mark on his perseverence and pluck a few days later, and was told, “You will see more of that.”
These are the characteristics I’ve seen in Mark that I want to emulate:
1. Work to be prepared ahead of time. The day of the game is too late to be building muscle and stamina. Each of us will be wise to be learning, growing, and stretching faith muscles before hardship and testing begins.
2. Never, never, never give up. The third line is the last stop before being released from pre-season practice to go home. Make corrections if necessary, but keep moving toward the goal. Showing up when you are on the bottom is a greater character builder than having loads of talent and easily rising to the top.
3. Fight for what you believe in. Obviously Mark’s commitment to his team and livelihood make the game of hockey something he is passionate about. For what cause are you willing to risk discomfort and confrontation to be an advocate? My respect goes to the folk who walk the walk when they talk the talk.
Sports analogies are great encouragers, aren’t they? I hope you win on your battlefield. Never give up. Go Blue Jackets!
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