The Spirit of the Game- Reflections from Eva Ehrhardt of EU Women’s Lax

     “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:9-10, NIV).

     These verses may have a different meaning for everyone, but their impact really describes the relationship that I have with the sport of lacrosse. Since I was little I have always had a passion for sports in general, but lacrosse has always been different; nothing was ever handed to me. Being told “no” can be tough growing up, especially if you feel that being denied is so much more likely to happen—trying out for one team and getting denied, then the next and also being denied. The sport that you love so much starts to become the sport that only brings pain and sorrow.

     My sophomore year of high school brought the most disappointment, a sinking feeling I had never expected. That winter I put in the most work I had ever put into any sport. I spent the entire winter training, lifting and wall-balling, and when tryouts came around I felt  ready. I ran the fastest mile I ever ran, calling on God’s strength to help me. I remember reciting Philippians 4:13 as I was running: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (NKJV). We then moved on to the lacrosse skills portion of the tryout, and I was cut by the end of the scrimmage. At this time I was probably at my lowest point with both lacrosse and faith. Looking back, I realize that I started to put my faith in a sport and all those who were involved in the sport. My faith did not lie with God. I continued playing lacrosse for my club team, and I stopped pursuing high school lacrosse. I focused all of my attention on playing lacrosse in college, which became my ultimate goal.

     Before I arrived at Eastern, God put a fantastic opportunity in front of me during the spring of my senior year of high school. I was asked to play for the local FCA team against other small schools. In Galatians, Paul reminds us not to grow weary in doing good, because we will eventually reap a harvest. FCA was that first harvest to me, as it helped me to truly understand the meaning of playing for God and playing with girls that helped support my journey with the Lord. All of the work I put in was not done in vain, but was waiting to be reaped at a time that God had planned for me.

     As a senior in my final season of collegiate lacrosse, I reflect on all of the lacrosse I have been able to play at Eastern and the impact it has had on me. Galatians 6:9-10 are the 2017 team verses for the EU Women’s Lacrosse Team, which is only fitting for me, four years after joining the FCA team. I am still learning that we reap what we sow.  I was once told that God either answers prayers with “go,” “no” or “slow.” We are commanded to do some things right now, while other things have no part in our plans, and then there are things that require us to be patient and trust that the Lord will place us exactly where we need to be when the time is right.