If you’ve followed my posts for anytime at all, you probably have grasped that I enjoy watching football. It’s a weekly “date” for my son and I as we watch the games together each Sunday in our living room. It’s a pretty special time…just me and my son. š
Each year during the playoffs, our family and my brother’s family do our “picks” and choose which teams we think will advance each week. We do this for fun, with no money involved. We love our Colts, but I didn’t choose them to go all the way this year. Zach and I both have the Seahawks winning the Superbowl. The Colts beat the Seahawks in the game we attended in Indianapolis in October, but the teams have changed since then. If the Colts weren’t going to be in the running, my second choice was the Seahawks. We’ll see what happens in two weeks as we watch it at our annual gathering at my brother’s home.
Because of our picks, both of us were pretty happy that the Seahawks won against the 49ers last night.
But after the game, one of the Seahawks’ players was interviewed live, and caught me off-guard with what he said. I believe he caught everyone off-guard, especially the poor woman who interviewed him.
To back up a few minutes, Richard Sherman (the interviewee) was the cornerback in the end zone who tipped the ball from the hands of the 49ers receiver, Michael Crabtree, into another Seahawks’ hands. That ended the game. (On a side note, last night if you saw the Nike commercial showcasing some new light blue running shoes, Sherman was the athlete in those Nike’s. Just an interesting tidbit.)
Sherman sounded like a raging crazy person in that interview as he bashed Crabtree, without saying his name, and as he boasted about himself being the best “corner” in the game. Zach and I both looked at each other simultaneously and couldn’t believe what we were hearing. I was thankful that this man wasn’t swearing or cussing, as his words were sharp and loud. But, as I watched and listened in disbelief, guess what this girl instantly did? I’m embarrassed to say… I judged him, and I judged his heart.
Shame on me.
I thought at the time, “Who is this guy? Who does he think he is?” Part of me wanted to change my pick to the Broncos because of his lashing comments. I became a little embarrassed to have cheered for the Seahawks. I watched both him and Russell Wilson (the Seahawks’ quarterback who is vocal about being a Christian) in an interview together, and they seemed like night and day to me…complete opposites. Again, I judged.
I became increasingly agitated as I shared my thoughts on social media, and watched others share theirs. I realized quickly that what was causing the agitation wasn’t Sherman’s interview. It was from the conviction of me judging him. What I was doing was wrong.
How terrible for me to judge someone by the words that came out of his mouth! I’m thankful there wasn’t/isn’t a microphone in my face catching some of the ridiculous things I have said in the past or continue to say. God hears, and holds me responsible for, every word that comes out of my mouth. That’s hard enough for me to swallow.
Okay, so maybe Sherman shouldn’t have ranted in the interview last night. But in doing so, does that make him the things I’ve seen people call him… a thug, a fool, an idiot, a classless act, a jerk, an embarrassment to his family? I didn’t call him a name, but my thoughts were just as bad.
God’s Word is very clear that we are not to judge. (Read Luke 6:37-38.) That’s God’s place, not ours. I don’t know Richard Sherman’s heart. I don’t know his relationship with God, with his family, with others. I don’t know the man. What I’ve read today is that he responded and explained where he was coming from last night. I’ve read that he graduated second in his high school class and graduated from Stanford with a degree in Communication and returned to begin his Masters degree before being drafted by the Seahawks. It’s pretty clear he’s a smart guy, and it’s obvious he’s a talented football player.
Mr. Sherman, I apologize for judging you.
I’ve asked God to forgive me of those judgmental and condemning thoughts and words I shared last night. And I prayed that if they influenced anyone else negatively, that truth would replace them. I wonder sometimes if I’ll ever get it all together?!?! It’s doubtful–at least not on this side of eternity. I’m thankful God loves me enough to convict me through the Holy Spirit’s influence when I mess up. When that happens, it doesn’t feel good, but through those convictions, I know He’s still working on me, changing me, and molding me into the woman He desires me to be.
Maybe Richard Sherman didn’t do the “right thing” last night, but neither did Julie Lefebure. May this girl be not so quick to judge someone’s heart next time.
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