Larry Drew II - You're a Quitter...

So anyone who knows me, knows that I am a Carolina Tarheel through and through. If there is one thing I get more worked up about than anything else, it's Carolina basketball. It gets me excited, it gets me frustrated, it gets me everything in between. When a Carolina game is on, I prefer to be locked inside of a room by myself standing within 3 feet from the TV; I'd rather do this than go to a huge party with 50 other Carolina fans. Is it weird, yes, probably a litlte (or a lot), but that's just me and what I prefer. "I'm a Tar Heel born, I'm a Tar Heel bred. And when I die, I'll be a Tar Heel dead...." Now to the real point of the blog, Larry Drew II, aka, The Quitter. All Carolina fans and most die hard college basketball fans know the news by now that (former) Carolina Junior Point Guard, Larry Drew II decided on Thursday that it would be best for him to quit the team and transfer to another school. Yea, that's a great idea Larry! First of all when you look at the facts it makes ALL the sense in the world. You are Junior and you will more than likely transfer to another Division I school (probably on the West Coast, USC or UCLA). That being said, NCAA rules state that you're going to have to sit out a year before being eligible to play for only 1 year (your senior year). You decided to throw away half of your junior year on top of that. Who walks away from their team midseason? Quitters do, that's who! It's no secret that LDII has dealt with his share of criticism from the media and from most Carolina fans. I can't think of another player that has put on the Tarheel Blue who has deal with the consistent turmoil that this kid has. People have been calling for his head all season, especially with the arrival of freshman Kendall Marshall. A few games ago, LDII gets benched in favor of Marshall, a decision many people thought was a long-time coming. I was honestly surprised that Roy made the move, even though I thought it was necessary. Marshall is a smarter PG, he's a much better passer, and our offense runs smoother with him in the lineup. All that being said, you would think I would have been thrilled at the news of LDII leaving, but I wasn't. He was actually playing much better coming off the bench and seemed to have accepted and adjusted to his new role quite well. I was about as wrong as could be on that one. Four games after losing his starting job, he bolts, leaves the team hanging high and dry, quits. He didn't tell anybody what was going on, he just up and left. Coach Williams gets a call on Thursday night from Larry's dad informing him of what's going on. I could go on and on about this, but at the end of the day, he just flat out quit. Facing a little bit of adversity, he just decided to walk away from his team and quit. When things get tough, there isn't an easier thing in the world to do than quit. Whether it's a relationship, a job, or in this case a team sport - anybody can quit. You could have been known for so much more. You were the member of a National Championship team who put on one of the most dominant NCAA tournaments runs in years. You could have graduated from a great university, and most importantly you would have been a Tarheel for LIFE. People outside of the Carolina circle may not know the ammenities that brings, but it's a big deal. Now, Larry Drew II will simply be known as a quitter. Quitter: One who gives up easily. Thank you Mr. Webster, I agree with your definition.

2 Corinthians 9 and the Smalltown Poets

I heard a great Word at church this morning, which I'm sure I'll get to eventually in this post. I really am amazed at how the Lord works. I shouldn't be because I know that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever," (Heb 13:8) and He doesn't change. He loved me yesterday, He'll provide for me and meet my needs today, and He'll lead and guide me forever. I am a Christ follower, but I am so far from being anywhere close to perfect. I have my downfalls and shortcomings, I have my sins and daily struggles. But I really do believe that God is beginning to do a work in me in regards to giving and more specifically giving joyfully and with a cheerful heart. Our church is in the process of planting/birthing a daughter church. Last Sunday night Lori and I were at the plant meeting, we were towards the end and began sharing prayer requests and needs. There was a very serious financial need that someone brought up - they have close friend whose family is going through a difficult time and needs help. As we were praying I really felt God bring this need to the forefront of my heart. I felt like He was telling me that He wanted me to not only help, but do it in a very specific way. I couldn't get that off my mind the rest of the night. Monday at work it was on my mind all day, by the time I left work and was driving home it was still there, it kept coming back. Before I got home I had the opportunity to follow through and do exactly what I felt the Lord was telling me to do. I was praying asking the Lord to help me do this act cheerfully and I'm not sure that this prayer has been answered yet (if I'm being completely honest). Giving is one thing, but it's really only half of the equation, we should give with a cheerful heart at God's Word encourages us to do. Finally - fast forward to church this morning. The title of the message was "How Do I Give." I thought, wow, this is pretty appropriate to what I've been feeling this week. The message came out of 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, but three of the verses really stuck out to me. "(6)Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (7) Each of you should give what you have decided in your own heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (8) And God is able to bless you abudantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." - 2 Co 9:6-8...Our pastor mentioned that godly people are giving people and we should give above and beyond (whether in reference to a tithe, a need, or anything else), so that we may experience the joy of giving. When it comes to giving, God calls us to to be generous, deliberate, and cheerful - those were the main points of his message this morning. We can't give or receive with clinched fists and white knuckles. The message, the scripture, the points all reminded me of an old Smalltown Poets song - appropriately titled, I'll Give. I'll leave with the chorus and bridge of this song being my final thoughts.
I'll give, I'll hold nothing;
I'll give, I'll hold nothing;
I'll give I'll hold nothing back
My hands are open so take what You see
and I'll keep nothing, hold nothing back from me
- I know this song is really more about giving to the Lord, but it comes full circle because giving is something the Lord asks of us. Lord, my You allow me to give generously, deliberately, and cheerfully in the days ahead.