When Things Fall Apart

The last 10 days have been a lot to take in. Last Thursday I woke up to the possibility of a game being canceled- by the end of the day, classes were completely online, all spring sports were shut down by the NCAA, my Senior athletes were done with their “last season,” and many of my athletes started arranging plans to travel home for the remainder of the school year. In the days that followed, dorms closed, graduation was canceled, businesses were sent to work from home if they could, and most everything was shut down. The other day, I woke up with the “stay home” notice in effect. There is not really “business as usual” anywhere around me any more, and this is true in so many places in the world.  So many shutdowns mean so many lives impacted. The ongoing impact of such drastic shutdowns will be felt in many ways for a long time. There is current confusion and much to grieve for many. There are people losing jobs, companies cutting or closing, and a devastating impact to our economy. Fear and grief are crippling at times, and this wave of events is like nothing we have seen before. 

But when things fall apart, it gives us an opportunity we don’t get in the daily grind. The hard exterior is cracked and shattered to reveal a softer interior. The facade of control is finally exposed for what it is and we understand that everyday is a gift not a reward. When things fall apart, they are exposed for what they really are and for what really matters. So what are we seeing now? What surfaces?

Grief? Relief? Despair? Joy? Family time you didn’t know you needed? Anger? Faith? Hope? Prayer? Anxiety?

As a coach, I am constantly helping athletes see that it is the challenges that bring out their character, and that they cannot control most of life, but they CAN control how they respond. We can train ourselves to respond better and this is what shapes and molds our character. In all truth, we have no idea what our character is made of until we face discouragement, setbacks, loss, and failure. 

What are you coming to see in yourself in this time of chaos and challenge? Are you leaning on yourself? Others? God? 

My hope is that as things fall apart around you that you are able to realize that it is our connection that matters. First and foremost, our connection to God can ground us and give us hope in the face of fear, and second we are made to have healthy relationships that foster growth, healing, forgiveness, and strength.  

One of my favorite verses in the bible that speaks so much truth to me is in John 16:33. It says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (NASB). Jesus lived a life of hardship. He was an outcast, poor, likely lost his earthly Father at a young age and had to provide for his family as the oldest son. He speaks this verse to His disciples shortly before He is betrayed, and convicted to death for crimes He did not commit. He understands trouble. BUT he reframes it with the most powerful second half, He has overcome the world! What hope, what truth! No matter how hard it gets, He has already overcome it and wants to walk with us through it all over again in our time and space. 

Lasly, keep pursuing love, forgiveness, and healing in this season. Give love and compassion out as much as possible.  I have seen love break the chain of fear. In a single phone call, the voice of panic turned calm when the person on the other end realized she was not alone. I have seen people step up and support each other, and those who are financially secure step in to help friends or members of their community deeply impacted. I pray there is relational healing, relational growth, and deep meaningful relationships formed in this time. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35, NIV) 

When things fall apart, may we lean into God and come together.