Blog

As most of the Logos Prep community knows, Tuesday, January 17th was a traumatic evening in Gym 1. With a few minutes left in the first quarter, a player from the opposing team checked out of the game, returned to the bench, and collapsed. What followed were some tense moments that culminated with the arrival of EMS and a trip to Texas Children's Hospital. In the aftermath of what transpired Mrs. McIlvoy and I discussed things, and she asked me to pinch-hit for her for this week's blog.

Looking at the two teams in the gym that night, it was not difficult to distinguish the physical differences between them. However, when the player went down, the only thing that mattered was the one thing that we all have in common, life. People sprang into action in a concerted effort to save this young man’s life, and I am happy to report that his life was saved. We’ve heard from his school and his parents, all extending their gratitude for the way in which everyone responded. It’s safe to say that, if asked, they would agree that their student was valued that night. I’ve thought a lot about things this past week and wonder how they would answer that if the game would have gone off without a hitch. Would the players and fans of the opposing school have left our gym that night knowing that we valued them?

In our day-to-day lives it is very rare for us to encounter such an emergency as the one from last week. No, it is far more common for us to simply interact with one another in “normal” circumstances. The question I have been left with is do I value others in those instances to the point that they walk away feeling that I do? Does the way I speak to them and listen to them indicate that I do value them? I would challenge the people of our community to ask these questions of themselves. Ephesians 4:29 says “Let no ]unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Are we building one another up, in a “gracious way”, or do we tear down? Starting with me, we must be better at this. We will be known as disciples of Christ by our love for one another (John 13:35). This would indicate that it must be a demonstrable love, as it will be noticed by others, and not simply lip-service. My favorite movie of all time is Remember the Titans. It is about two groups of people, with very distinct physical differences, coming together for a common purpose. Coach Yost (the white assistant coach) exhorts Coach Boone (the black head coach) to “leave no doubt” as to who the better team is in one of their playoff games. I would leave the Logos Prep community the same challenge as it relates to how we value others…Leave. No. Doubt.
 

Bennett Murff
Athletic Director
Logos Preparatory Academy