MEN vs BOYS

Yesterday (Sunday), came to church early to bring granny to church and as well as to prepare for worship. Was playing Bass. Finally, I could hear myself. And no more "ko ro pok" sound. I found that the sound was clearer, cleaner and superb. WOOOO HOOO! If I can hear it, it also means everybody else can hear it. Play wrong = everybody hear it. Hmmmm....... But was shiok lah! (and also a big thanks to those who encourage me with their kind comments on my playing! it's all by God's grace)
Oh! And it happens to be our church 3rd Parish Birthday! Wooo HOOO! God is good and His hands have been always there guiding us. By His grace and love He has brought us this far. And I'm sure the Lord has more exciting plans ahead for us. Let's gear ourselves towards what He has planned for us.
So after the 2nd svc, went with the UNCLEs to celebrate Peter's birthday! Went to Sakura at Eastpoint. I ordered only Thai Iced Coffee (uncle Dino calls it Fried Ice Coffee; always disturbing the waiter or waitress) as I ate alot of Birthday brownies. muahaha! Had alot of fun with the uncles. Talked alot and crack jokes. My my! It's so fun to be with the 'old man' You may think they are just a bunch of outdated oldies, in their own time zone. But if you think this way, I'm really sorry for you. You are missing out the good stuffs. They really know how to enjoy themselves, pamper themselves. After the meal, went with Dino to pick up family then we left for Siglap Secondary for the soccer match - Veteran Match: SACC vs All Saints.
Well to keep the match commentary short, we won with a margin of 4-1. However the match wasn't that pretty. A lot of unfriendly and ugly incidents. The intial plan agreed was the match was to field a bulk of uncles. We fielded all uncles except for me and brian. The other side had abt less than half uncles and main bulk of youths. We started off the game well and I guess some of our uncles played pretty hard cotact which 'provoked' the opponents' youths. So they retaliate with rough and unfair play. Then some of the youths (realised that their feet can't do the move) start to let their mouths do the 'moves'. Sacarcism start flying. I was the culprit as well lah! But they started first. Uncle Phua got tackled in the leg and was limping. So I just commented it's an Old man injury. So some 'gin na' shot back at me saying "I tot they say they fielding kids" So I abit not too happy lah! So I purposely look at Uncle Brian and say," Uncle Brian, you know you are a fat kid." (sorry uncle brian, that was a big sacrifice for you) Then they also not too happy den start whining like babies. Well! I stop at that point alreadi. No point arguing with kids. Anyway, my feet is doing the talking. Theirs are just whining. Haha! I'm 25 and I will not resort to arguing foolishly. FULL STOP.

As I looked back on this match, though of it's ugliness, I learn a lot from it.
Firstly, I must really affirm and praise James. He was intentionally "zham'' in his thigh by the opponent. Instead of immediate retaliation, he stood up and walk off. My goodness! What a proud thing to do! Honestly, James look very cool when he just walked off and make the opponent look like a complete fool! A young boy showing an older boy what is sportmanship and most importantly, what is the right thing to do in God's eyes. If for me, I can't guarantee I can keep my cool. So James, not sure if you reading, but I just want to say, I learn something valuable from you that day. Anyway, shame on our uncles, they were the ones who invaded the field confronting the players. I know you all protecting the boys but very bad thing to do. GO and reflect. (hehe)
Secondly, I feel that our boys have matured alot. In the past, the boys always play to win. During the second half, we substituted the boys in and as they played, they were under immense pressure but not once did any lost their cool. And in a hard contact, nvr did they show their temper. My my! I'm so proud of all of them. It's like seeing your own son maturing. The joy, the pride, the heart-warming feeling. And I believe very much it's not the work of man but the work of God. The fruit of the Holy Spirit. So keep it up!
Thirdly, I think it's prety sad that even when Christians come together, it can turn so ugly. I'm not saying that the fault lies with the opponent. We do play a part in it. Sometimes, man(i'm referring to everybody) tends to let emotion run wild especially when in a tight situation. Usually, when you are losing in a match, they can't manage the emotions and they start either showing their frustrations or blabbering. I personally feel that losing a match at most just loses one's pride. But losing one's cool is as good as losing one's intergrity. Action speaks louder than words. Dun go around professing about your faith when your action is nothing but fallen short of what it is. I'm guilty of being a lousy testimony at many times. I am still learning and I thank God for teaching me this lesson in such a gentle manner. I can only come to the Lord seeking for His forgiveness and that He will continue to fill me with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Back to the game. I played the 1st half as a left back. Not very comfortable becoz last time played defender nvr play offside. So wasn't able to adapt to play to the last man. Keep kena Uncle Dino screaming at me. Haha! But I tot I did well. Got twice I push-up the ball to mid field. Then very shiok becoz the feeling of creating threat to the opponent is so great. The opponents just look helplessly at you as you bring the ball up. Then one of the chance, I indirectly created a goal. Muahahaha! Cheers to me! But need to work on stamina. Improved but still running like a buffalo. Muahaha!