Vickie Benson

Okay, so last month I did some New Year’s Thoughts.  We are in February, and I need to give a basketball update.  Our team has made the playoffs!  The unthinkable has happened.  God really can do anything.  I have really fallen in love with this basketball team.  They have no idea what an incredible inspiration they have been.  I am in the midst of the greatest young teenage ladies!  Let me give just a sample of what I get to witness everyday.  We played a game a week or so ago, and our opponents had some foul mouths so to speak, as did their coach.  We lost the game, although it was close, and in the locker room, the girls were talking about what they had heard on the court.  They were commenting on how thankful they were that our team was not like that, and how I do not yell at them like they had heard the opposing coach do.  I reminded them that we could either continue complaining about it or pray for them.  We chose to pray.  I went outside the locker room to wait for the team, and I watched 2 sophomores come out of the locker room, walk across to the other side of the court, seek out the coach, and exchange words, hand shakes, etc.  When we got to the bus, I asked them what they said.  They told the coach, “Thank you for having us in your gym.  We appreciate it.”  They said a few other things as well, but what a profound event for these 15 year olds.  I wonder what the coach was thinking.  Has any opponent ever approached her before in that way? 

Anyhow, back to the playoffs.  We will be playing an extremely talented group of young ladies.  The team has talked all season about wanting to play for God.  We met yesterday, and I told them this is the moment of truth.  Because our opponent is superior to us, will the team still give everything we have this week in practice and in the game?  I believe that they will.  A few more days, and we shall see. 

Update on the injuries, still playing without the broken ankle.  Knee surgery is back in the game, but limited due to the pain, fractured finger returned for a week, then found out her grandfather passed away Sunday.  She has gone to be with the family and will not return until next Monday.  Please pray for her family as they go through this loss.  Thankfully, her grandfather was a strong believer!  Hip flexor spasm is back.  The last 2 weeks, our school has been plagued with the flu.  It has reached 2 on our team.  We are praying it will not get to the rest.

I will post again in March.  I will give an update at that time.

I will leave you with Colossians 3:23.  This is our team reminder:  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” 

I have been reflecting upon the last year, and we have entered into 2009.  I am extremely blessed with an amazing husband, two wonderful children, and many members of extended family.  I could not ask for more.  My husband makes me laugh every day, and always knows how to encourage me and lift me up.  My children, Coleton (6) and Tyton (3) never cease to amaze me.  They are growing up so fast and have such different personalities, but the sweetest of hearts.

In my career as an athletic director and women’s basketball coach, I have seen some pretty big obstacles.  For example, our volleyball team suffered many injuries in the beginning of district play.  Fortunately, none of them were season ending, however, it did have an impact on the team’s success.  They went on to finish 3rd in district and lost in the first round of the playoffs. 

Our basketball team is in the heat of the season right now, and has sufferred multiple injuries.  One of our 2 seniors had torn miniscus in her knee and bone spurs building in it as well.  She has had surgery and been out most of the season and may not return.  Our returning 2 year 1st Team All-State player broke her ankle the weekend before district play began and will be out the rest of the season.  Yesterday, we found out that our shooting guard fractured her finger and is out 4 weeks.  Many others have experienced strange injuries as well.  We have seen spasming hip flexors, popped out shoulders, banged and bruised swollen knees, you name it, we have seen it. 

I do know that God is in control.  He is faithful to get us over the mountains we see in front of us.  I have been trying to get the team to see that our mindset has so much to do with rather or not we will make it over the mountain.  If we look at the mountain and say, “Oh my gosh, that mountain is so high and there is no way I we can get over it.”, we won’t.  We can attempt, but it will not happen.  Or, we can say, “Wow, that mountain is high, but we will look to the Lord to be our wings to carry us over it.  We will not accept defeat and will strive to do our best.”, we will get over, and we will be stronger because of our efforts. 

I am looking forward to what God has in store through the trials we have seen.  Many people would say that God doesn’t care about sports….He has too much else to worry about.  I don’t believe that to be true.  John 10:10 says that Jesus came so that we may have life, and have it to the full…..everything is included in that.  God can teach life lessons through the ups and downs of sports.  We have to be willing to ask Him to show us these things.

Whatever obstacles you have faced in the last year, and whatever you may face this year, let God help you through them.  He is waiting to be your wings!

Isaiah 40:31 says, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Hey all,

My book FOR HIM is here!  I have already heard so many things from you all about what you think of it.  I would love to hear more.  Keep me posted on how God uses this book!

Well, the Hyde Park Lady Panther Basketball team that I coach played yesterday (March 1) in the State Championship.  After a hard fought game, and a 20-7 run in the 3rd quarter to come within 1 point, the Lady Panthers took the State Runners-up title with a 9 point loss to Fort Worth Lake Country.  What an incredible season and experience this was for me and the girls. 

The book titled “For Him - Guidance for Christian Athletes” is a compilation of my life experiences told in story form. Each Chapter represents a part of my life that I wish to share with young adults and other coaches in an effort to display God’s love and committment to us all.

To order a copy please use the “Book Info” link order form on my main web site at VBENSON.

Please feel free to post your thoughts, questions, and comments about the book and we can share them with others who may have the same interest.