A Familar Trumpet Call

I read this yesterday in James Dobson's book,
"Coming Home."
I thought it relevant
and it encouraged my resolve
to keep my post on the wall
and to continue to cry
my warning song.
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"Not only can emotions be dangerous-
they can also be unreliable and foolish.

I am reminded of a story told by my mother
about her high school years.
They had one of the worst football teams
in the history of Oklahoma.

They hadn't won a game in years.

Finally a wealthy oil producer
asked to speak to the team
in the locker room and offered a
brand-new Ford to every boy and to each coach
if they would simply defeat their bitter rivals
in the next game.

The team went crazy.

For seven day they thought about
nothing but football.
They couldn't sleep at night.

Finally the big night arrived,
and the team was frantic with anticipation.

They assembled on the sidelines,
put their hands together,
and shouted, "Rah!"

Then they went out onto the field-
and were smashed thirty-eight to nothing.

No amount of excitement
could compensate for the players'
lack of discipline, conditioning, practice,
study, coaching, drill,
experience, and character.

Such is the nature of emotion.

It has a definite place in human affairs
but is not a substitute
for intelligence, preparation, and self-control.
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He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear.