I love basketball! I’ve played it, coached it, and watched it all my life. This madness time of the year is like feasting on banana splits every meal. Then, if that isn’t enough, the madness of March college basketball is in my town-DALLAS. The climax is tonight when Kentucky takes on U-Conn. By the time this is posted we’ll have a new national champion and half of us will be glad the other half sad. A winner and a loser.
There is one kid on that Kentucky team that is not a loser. Regardless of the Final Four outcome, Julius Randle is a winner. Growing up in Plano Texas, raised by an athletic, and inspirational single mom, Julius is destined for greatness. I used to see him often at my church where he went to school. Now a tall 6’ 9” he is hard to miss. His story is why I write today. Julius has been mentored by strong Christian men most of his life. Coaches, pastors, and good solid male role models have shown Julius what a real man is supposed to be. Because of that- he has a chance to be a blessing to many in the years to come.
Which brings me to this….small boys learn to be large men by growing up in the presence of large men who know how to love and lead small boys. There are many small boys out there who come under the influence of basketball or some other sport, who along the way never were properly mentored. They learned to play but did not learn how to live. I am rooting for one kid that plays for Kentucky, who has been given every chance to make a difference when he becomes a man. Go Julius! Go follow those large men who led you! The largest of them is Christ our Lord!
