By: Brenda Wilkerson
For the past few days as I drive within eyeshot of his house, Isaiah’s uncle throws the football from the front porch, with Isaiah (my teddy bear, tender-hearted football player) running to catch it before he reaches his designated area to wait for me.
The first day, he caught it but fell backwards, leaving a skinned place on his knee and a wet spot on his back. Oh, I cheered his bravery for trying and gave him a “10” for the best fall. Day 2, he tried even harder for us, and this time he caught it and tumbled forward. There was no bodily injury or need for a Band-Aid, but his shirt had gained another wet grass stain. Again, we absolutely cheered the bravery and his full body attempt for us when he climbed aboard.
Then we came up with a plan. Isaiah was to leave his backpack at the bus stop area instead of wearing it, to give him better movement and some freedom from added weight. Day 3, as I was approaching, I saw his backpack at the bus stop. It’s GO TIME, ladies and gentleman!!! Mr. Uncle threw the football from the front porch…somehow my brain watched in slow motion as the football was in the air. Isaiah caught the football…BUT, could. he. stay. on. his. feet?! We all watched as he bobbled and struggled to keep his feet under him. Yes, YES!! He did it!!! As he threw the football back to Mr. Uncle on the front porch, he slung his backpack over one shoulder with a smirk and waited for the lights of bus, the squeak of the brakes, and the yellow double doors to open…then he proudly floated up the steep steps and into his seat. We cheered; oh, we celebrated his tenacity to try and fail before getting it right.
My friend, let me encourage you today that you WILL fail, sometimes more than you succeed. We will get skinned knees and grass stains — many times for all to see. Press on friend, PRESS ON!! Say your prayers to the One who knows you best and who will one day announce for all to hear, “Well done.” The victory, sweet victory, is worth the risk to try, and fail — again and again and again…
By: Brenda Wilkerson
February 21, 2025
