Off My Turf

Any regular reader of these posts knows that I know a concerning amount about women’s field hockey—it is perhaps my greatest passion in the fall. And anyone who knows anything about field hockey knows that it is a completely different game when played on grass versus turf. Not only does the hard ball travel infinitely faster on turf, but the passes are also much cleaner and crisper than their bumpy counterparts.

A few weeks ago, my daughter’s undefeated high school team was making the trek to play a lower-ranked school on, heaven-forbid, a grass field. I cleared my schedule, preparing for a game where high-intensity Dan could relax and watch my daughter’s team rack up the goals. As I watched both teams warm up, I thought, “Houston, we may have a problem.” The game was anything but relaxing. The usual effortless, almost melodious passes between my daughter’s teammates were exchanged for confusing speeds and unpredictable bounces. Within minutes, the other team scored first, proving that though they might be underdogs, they knew how to play on their field.

My daughter’s team eked out a win in the final moments of the game, and I thankfully had some time in the car for my heart rate to come down. In the least critical tone possible, I asked my daughter if they practiced before the game. Her stare back told me my tone was still too critical. I could not believe what a difference the field made to not only their skill set, but also the mindset of our girls.

It caused me to reflect upon all the times in my life and leadership when I believed there was a shared context, a mutual understanding, a common set of rules that would drive the state of play. How often do I become so comfortable “on my own field” that I forget to consider where others are coming from? How much more effective could I be in connecting with those I love and lead if I remembered that every encounter is its own “match” that requires intentional preparation? With whatever gifts God has given me, do I practice them in places and situations that are unfamiliar to me?

As we embark on this new week, let’s give thanks for the moments that test our skills, build our patience, and have us turn for guidance to the Ultimate Coach who has already secured the most amazing victory.