Duck the Pucks!

This post was written while I was in Scottsville, New York the home of my favorite ice hockey goalie. You probably wouldn't recognize his name (yet) or see him on ESPN, but to me he is great! He is my grandson Keegan and I am amazed at his tenacity and fearlessness on the court as the little, spherical shaped pucks flies at him like rockets. We were taken back after looking at his shattered knee guard that received a direct blow from a flying puck. This demonstrated to me the velocity and speed that this small object is hurled at none other than our Keegan. To see our Keeg in his padding you would believe him to be huge, he wears a "catcher" which is leather glove that is the size of a bushel basket, a helmet that is just as big, and leg pads that make his otherwise, slender legs, look like tree trunks. In the other hand, he holds the hockey stick, a stick different from what the other players used, designed just for goalies, to defend the goal that he tends. The little round pucks come at him at lightening speed and it is his job to dip, dive and stop the puck and keep it from getting past him and allow the opposing team to score. He uses every part of his "armor" as the "enemy" flies at him!

I couldn't help but think about how troubles sometimes come to us like that puck, fast and furious. Temptation is hurled at us at every turn with the intention and potential to shatter our lives. Standing without protection, we endure the pain, we are battered and bruised until many times, we succumb to the enemy. The bible tells us that we need to put on the whole armor of God. We need the protection that only God can give us.

It is not always popular to suggest that the enemy, the devil, is scheming to, and has all intentions of winning! When I say winning, I mean winning our soul, that is his ultimate goal. In fact the bible states very clearly that we are under attack and we need to put on our protective gear!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:10-17 NIV)

We can't make it my dear friends without God's armor to protect us. We need to put on His truth, His righteousness, His peace! We need to be confident and have faith that He alone can get us through this battle that wages everyday for our souls. We need to wear our salvation boldly, and be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit!

So gear up and beware of flying pucks! I love you Keegan Tanner Smith!