PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

February 18, 2024

WINNING AND LOSING

Sunday afternoon, February 4, the Purdue men’s basketball team beat Wisconsin in a closely fought 75/69 victory.  In his post-game interview, Boilermaker head coach, Matt Painter, referenced his mentor and former coach, Gene Keady.  “When you win you make mistakes.  When you lose, you do some things well.”  Successful coaches and basketball teams know how to keep these two observations in perspective.

Purdue center Zach Edy was the national college player of the year for 2022-2023.  Many have speculated that he will win the award again this year.  It would have been easy for Edy to rest on his past success.  Rather than concentrating on his triumphs, Edy has chosen to focus on his mistakes.  He can be found in the gym an hour before and after practice perfecting his game.  He realizes that he still has much to learn.  Even though he is a winner, he knows he makes mistakes.

The Purdue women’s basketball team started the season 9/5.  They then proceeded to lose their next seven games, two of which were close away games against top 15 opponents.  As the women approached the game on Monday, February 5, they would have every reason to be discouraged and down.  However, the women came out with confidence that they could beat Illinois.  Their focus was on the things they had done well during their loosing streak.  The result was an overtime victory that had a chance of slipping away.

The Book of Proverbs calls us to apply our minds to discipline and our ears to wise sayings (Proverbs 23:12).  It goes on to say, “A house is built by wisdom, and is established by understanding; by knowledge are its rooms filled with all precious and beautiful things (Proverbs 24:3-4).”  Finally, “My son, eat honey, for it is good; let its sweet drops be on your plate.  Know: such is wisdom for your soul; if you attain it, there is a future; your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 24:13-14).”

As a fan it would seem that one could easily replace “house” with “basketball team” in the quote from Proverbs 24:3-4.  A basketball team is built by wisdom and is established by understanding; by knowledge are its games filled with all precious and beautiful things.  The Purdue men’s basketball team is built in many respects on the wisdom, understanding and knowledge that Coach Keady passed on to Coach Painter who now passes it on to the players.  To be successful a team and its players need to know how to deal with both success and failure.

Gene Keady’s advice is not only good for basketball, it is good for the game of life.  To be successful one needs to learn how to deal with both wins and losses. No matter how successful one might be, there are still things to learn, new challenges to meet, and obstacles to over-come.  No one is 100% successful.  When we lose and things do not go right, it is easy to get down and focus on what went wrong.  There is some value in this, but it can become a drag that keeps one from moving on.  At such times it is helpful to remember what went well.

During a game it is fitting and proper for the fans to get excited or depressed, depending on the circumstances. With the players and coaches, it is another matter.  They do best when they keep an even temperament.  Their focus needs to be on the play at hand.  Care needs to be taken that past victories do not breed overconfidence and past mistakes do not foster despair.

(Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)