The Game Plan of Acceptance
My blood boils as it flows through my veins. I can feel the tingling sensation on my tooth and fingertips, as if I am like a prey getting ready to satisfy my thirst. I can hear people shouting inside the gym. It feels like we’re a famous boy band in a concert. My eyes widen as I saw the lines on the floor, meeting at a certain point to be considered as a court.
Six players wearing black jersey at the half of the court, waiting for another victory, waiting for the opponents, waiting for us. The captain of the green took a step inside the court making a gesture saying “Come on!” to us, so I also took one. Left foot on the line, I can feel the difference of the atmosphere outside and inside the rectangle. My body starts shivering as I think of what kind of magic it has inside the lines.
I excitedly hit the ball for the first serve. Straight to net! I am excited but also terrified to commit errors. Wishing that the ball will not go near me. I committed an error after an error, second error of mine came before the third error follows. My body feels heavy as I keep whispering, “I should concentrate more!” forgetting the fact that volleyball is a sport which supposed to be an enjoyable game, because of hating to lose the game.
Bang! The opponent's serve landed on the arms of our setter. Our captain gave me an “It’s your turn!” look as he tosses the ball to me. The ball seems floating, my body moves on its own, step, step, jump, and spike. The ball landed on the opponent’s side. As my feet met the ground after the mark, I felt the pain on my hands, realizing that I’m playing my favorite sport. “Hey, dude you’re still alive,” convincing myself that I’m still here, I will just enjoy the game!
Shouting here and there as we got one point at the time, not taking a single glimpse on the score board. I can feel that we can win the game as a smile is already painted in my face. But the opponents are so great. In the end they won the game, celebrating, jumping on the other side of the court while I am stuck on my position, unable to accept the reality that we lost the game.
My body moved towards them not knowing what to do. The moment I am in front of them, I hugged one of them whispering, “You should win the next game dude”. Then, I went to my friends who were proudly holding a banner of our team, and a tear of sadness and regret flows down my cheeks.
We lost. Yes, we got the ending that we don’t like, but I will still hold on my life's bible verse, Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Losing the game is just only a chapter of our life, I will just wait for the next update and go with the flow of God's plan.
‘Til the next game!
