World Cup soccer theology

I HOPE THE LADY who sold me a cedar fence doesn’t read this blog.

I wouldn’t want to get her employees in trouble.

As I type this, Mexico and Brazil are playing World Cup soccer.

When I went downstairs for a late lunch, I turned on the TV. I knew that the World Cup soccer matches were on, and I wondered who was playing at the moment.

Doggone if it wasn’t Mexico against the Brazil, the favorite to win this year…because they’re good and because they’re hosting the games.

Here’s the thing. I’ve got two young men—early 20’s I’d say—in my back yard. They are putting up a cedar fence. They have genetic roots in Mexico, I’m fairly certain.

So I wondered if they were curious about the game.

I grabbed my iPad and tried to get the game on ESPN. But my internet provider has no deal with them. Consolidated Communications, get busy.

I searched the internet and found that I could watch it on Univision, in Spanish.

You know where I’m going, right?

I’m going the dickens outside.

And I’m taking my iPad.

“Would you guys like to borrow this?” I said.

“Uhhh.”

“Would it be a distraction for you?”

“Not for me,” the older fellow said, smiling.

“Here you go.”

I set it on a block of cedar in the shade.

Please don’t tell the boss lady, but the game is most certainly a distraction.

I’m laughing now.

I just got up from the chair. I went to another room, where I could get an angle on the carpenters. They are both huddled by a block of cedar in the shade.

They have a foremen. But he left shortly before the game started.

I’m thinking I might know what he’s doing. And it’s not foremanating.

If I’m right, when he comes back a walking, talking highlight reel, two young men will be able to describe a highlight or two of their own.

Score.

I know it’s risky loaning the carpenters my iPad, what with those hammers and nail guns getting whipped around.

But it’s also risky charging up my portable Bose speaker that can Bluetooth buddy up with the iPad. I use both of these tools in Bible study sessions I teach.

But I’m thinking that loaning these to the young men for a couple of hours might be as good and godly of a use as they’ll ever get.

Not that soccer trumps God. But that kindness is what God’s people should be known for.

Don’t you think?