Becoming A Team (10/15/2026)

This past weekend, as I sat with my husband watching the Packers play, I got to thinking about how teams become teams, what it takes. And my mind jettisoned me back over 60 years, and I could see Miss Foy, our middle school basketball coach, and hear her advice. I didn’t go on to be a national women’s basketball legend because, after all, Miss Foy couldn’t work that level of miracles. But she did teach me about Christ’s Way better than the majority of my theology teachers ever did.

The first day we showed up, she explained to us that we were to act like a team even though we weren’t one yet. She explained that a “real team” took time to build, but it would never happen if we didn’t start acting like a team from day one. She acknowledged that we would make many mistakes, but that was never an excuse for not trying our best from day one. She had three rules that trumped the official league rules:

1.       Accept everyone because they belong, too.

2.       Acknowledge everyone’s value so you will be open to turn to them for help when you need it.

3.       Assemble success by building on one another’s gifts.

Because of Miss Foy and her insistence on us acting like a team from day one, I learned that I can do something even when others around me may not be doing it. Because of her, I learned the importance of accepting others and of acknowledging the gifts of others. And it was Miss Foy who taught me through daily practice, talks, and example what good things can happen when we work together, honoring one another and each other’s gifts, encouraging one another especially when things aren’t going as planned. 

Christ calls us to unity, to claim our role in His Living Body, and to work together on His ongoing mission of salvation. I think Jesus approved of Miss Foy because in addition to trying to teach us how to “be one” she saw herself as one of Christ’s beloved. She was prayerful; she practiced her faith actively not just in the pew but even on the ball court.

Like I said, I didn’t go on to become a basketball legend. But during those formative years of my journey, I was blessed to have a basketball coach who lived her life according to the same rules she taught us to become a team. And while I am hard pressed to do a layup shot even on a good day, I don’t think I will ever lose what Miss Foy taught me about being a team member for Christ.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.