Sorry Mom
On Mother’s Day 2019, I am choosing to tackle a touchy subject. Two game 7’s on a beautiful Sunday is my definition of a wonderful bleeping day. Sorry mom.
This blog post addresses a principle that I try to live by. Let’s call it ‘Not Today Saul‘. David chose not to throw spears back at Saul despite his constant barrage of hate and ill will being thrown David’s direction. Just like everyone else, I sometimes fail. After Golden State Warrior’s Coach Steve Kerr chose to drop a F-Bomb in his post game interview following Game 5 victory, I chose to fire a spear back. My mother called me asking if I was okay, because she rarely has seen me post anything besides positive post on my social media. My response should have been “Sorry Mom”, instead I attempted to justify my decision.
Why? Because the spear landed near someone I love. I can usually handle when spears are thrown at me, but when you throw a spear that lands close to my son, I tend to go mom on you! At least that is what my kids call it. I can choose not to let my kids watch R rated movies or who they hang out with, but something is wrong when they can’t watch a NBA game on TNT without hearing a F-Bomb. Coach Kerr in the post game interview calls his players “Bleeping Giants”, then follows the comment with “Sorry Mom”, then says it again.
On my social media, I questioned if Curry and Iggy appreciated Coach Kerry choosing that adjective to describe them. I even said I had lost respect for Kerr and suggested that he fell like Goliath due to his choice of words. Someone then pointed out that Curry had done the exact same thing during the game saying, “This is my Bleeping house”. When questioned about it in his interview, Steph said he had blacked out adding “Sorry Mom”.
As I mentioned, I try to avoid returning spears that are thrown my direction, I also try to avoid being judgmental. Since I opened the can on social media, I was also asked my opinion if Curry’s swearing made him no longer a Christian. I will do what Jesus did when asked tricky questions. Jesus either responded with a question or He quoted God’s word. I will do both.
Do you think swearing publicly reflects Christ? What does the Bible say about swearing? One of the 10 commandments makes it very clear not take the Lord’s Name in vain. Neither Kerr, nor Curry did so when swearing this particular time. Here are some more verses that address the issue of cursing or swearing. Matthew 12:36-37, James 3:10, 2 Timothy 2:16, and Proverbs 18:21 are just a few verses that do so.
For years, some of the most successful and respected coaches and players in the world, many of which are self proclaimed Christian’s, are using zero filter when using profanity. This unrestrained display of lack of control of the tongue is just an example of a bigger issue. I think everyone knows down deep what is right and what is wrong. Why do so many want to muddy the waters then?
I understand that the days of The Andy Griffith Show, Happy Days, and Leave it to Beaver are long gone, but as moral decline continues to increase, are we supposed to ignore the elephant in the room? The Bible is clear that we are called to stand on the Rock, continue to be strong and courageous, and even when persecuted we are to shine in an increasingly darkening world. Saying or doing whatever the bleep you choose is not humanity at its best.
In Matthew 24:12, Christ predicts that social wickedness will increase prior to His return. Jesus speaks that the “Days of Noah” and the “Days of Lot” will return. In Luke 17:26-30 and Matthew 24:37-39 Christ clearly says, “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.” Jesus plainly says there will be an increase in godlessness and wickedness before His return. In 2nd Timothy 3, the Paul goes into more detail about what is to come.
I do not have a degree in theology, nor do I claim to be an outspoken apologetic. I do try to be a living apologetic. I try to be quick to ask forgiveness. I do apologize to Coach Kerr, as I was both critical and judgmental in my post. I don’t know Steve, but I am impressed by his accomplishments. Maybe this was just a rare poor choice that he made and I should not have jumped to judge. He did hit one of my nerves. I wish coaches, players, and everyone with a voice would consider their influence when choosing their words and actions. That includes me.
Even before my father became a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, I only heard him say one word that caught me off guard. He said the word “Bull”. Nothing ever followed that word besides a glare that said plenty, but I admired my father so much for the example he set for me in controlling his choice of words. Pops was a man of few words. He called it like he saw it though. He was honest to a fault. Dad would often say, “That was stupid son”. I heard that more times than I can remember. I once asked dad why he would call me stupid. His response, “Son I love you, I would never call you stupid. What you did was stupid, but you are not stupid son.”
I am going to take a page out of dad’s notebook on this one. Even though I don’t know either Coach Steve Kerr or Steph Curry personally, I love both of them for all of the great things that they represent. I love them with love of Jesus, which is full of grace and forgiveness. What they both chose to say during and after Game 5 was flat stupid, but in no way are they stupid. They are both very intelligent, successful and talented. I am not called to judge either of them. They both have amazing stories of overcoming adversity, working hard, and becoming very successful leaders.
Following their big win in Game 6 on the road in Houston, I was very impressed with each of their choices of words following the game. Whether that was a result of the influence of each of their mothers or the Holy Spirit, it was a joy to see each of them learn from their mistakes.
How awesome would it be if on Mother’s Day 2019, that Coaches worldwide would vow to honor their mother’s by choosing not to swear when coaching? I believe anyone who would make that vow, would not only make their mother’s smile, but I believe they would be welcoming the Holy Spirit to be with them more when they are coaching.
Representing Spirit Led Coach, I ask all coaches and players to please consider your influence when choosing your words or actions. We are called to be a light and reflection of Christ. Nobody has a bigger sphere of influence these days more than a player or a coach. Use that influence wisely!