"This is where character counts."

  In November of 2010, I had the privilege of being the host manager to Head Coach Winston Bennett and the Cougars of Mid-Continent University. Coach Bennett is probably the only coach that I have met that is classier than Coach Kessler. The previous season (09-10), Mid-Con had beaten Grace pretty badly, but last year, the tides had changed. Mid-Con had lost several starters and Grace was almost a different team with Bruce Grimm at point guard.

  The Cougars played well, but in the second half it became more and more evident that the Lancers had the upper hand. It came to a fairly critical point in the game, Mid-Con was behind by several scores, but the games wasn't out of reach yet. Then, the center missed a Lancer driving down the lane to score. It wasn't entirely his fault, but he was partially to blame, and I didn't judge him for the profanity that escaped his lips. What surprised me was Coach Bennet's actions. He proceeded to sub out the young man, sit him on the bench, and say in a stern voice, "This is where character counts." He didn't play again for the rest of the game.

   Needless to say, I was shocked. The coach had just taken out his team's best shot at making a comeback in that game, just for saying "damn." I'm not sure if they could have won even with this player, but in no way could they win without him. It was a gutsy, but admirable move by Coach Bennett.

Coach Winston Bennett 

  I thought that story was worth sharing, seeing as it came to mind. Yesterday, I had the opportunity of being humbled a couple of times, and Coach Bennett's words were ringing in my ears "This is where character counts." To say that I handled these situations with flawless integrity would be a lie, but that story was a good reminder of the importances of character.
  So the question probably stands, "What happened yesterday?" Nothing earth-shattering, I just didn't get the results I wanted on my placement test and didn't get a job I had applied for. Frustrating? yes. Disappointing? absolutely. End of the world? not in the slightest. God has reasons for the stuff that happens, not to mention that fact that He puts people in your life who care.  He is good and in control, but, apparently, I have short term memory loss.