Reflections from the Biggest Loser:

What have you been doing during this time of imposed social isolation? Anecdotal evidence tells us that families are spending more quality time with each other, working on projects, putting together jigsaw puzzles, playing games and cards. Perhaps you have pulled out the old Monopoly board that was gathering dust and have become reacquainted with the phrase, “Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. Go directly to jail.”

I have been socially distancing with my crew and we play Phase 10 at night. Phase 10 is a rummy-type card game comprised of, you guessed it, 10 phases each player must work through. For some hands you collect sets, for others you collect runs and sometimes you must collect a combination of both.

For most of this past week, I found myself in the unenviable position of consistently landing on the bottom of the score pad. Unlike in bowling, success at Phase 10 means having a low score. If you are acquainted with this game it seems nearly impossible, but I topped 1200 points the other night after spending several nights working our way through the 10 phases. I was indeed the Biggest Loser. The other players looked at me with pity and were overly kind to me as the score was announced after each hand.

I don’t take well to losing. I was born a competitive, over achieving oldest child. My best self is not the one that comes out when I stare at hand after hand of awful cards. But, in my morning quiet time, I have reflected upon how one can learn something even through challenging and difficult times, perhaps even from being the Biggest Loser.

If I allow myself to take a bigger view of circumstances around the card table, I can find a place of showing grace in losing. I can choose not to be bitter and unkind when someone plays a skip card against me, when really there was another player who deserved to be skipped more. I can be happy for and encouraging to the nine-year-old who really begins to understand the game and jumps ahead of me to Phase 7 and then Phase 8, when I can’t get through Phase 5 to save my life. I can use self-deprecating good humor to set an example for others each time the scorekeeper announces that I am—still—at the bottom of our standings.

Life is not always fair, is it? There is so much randomness…so much that is unpredictable. In my morning devotional time, I am trying to make sense of so much more than just what happens in a game of cards. How did we get where we are right now and how will we work ourselves out of all the muck stirred up during this time of pandemic? Yes, these are the bigger questions we are all asking right now. There are some in our community, both near and far, who will come out of this time unscathed. For others, life may never look the same.

But I believe unwaveringly that God is ultimately in charge. You and I can all claim God’s promises, things like this: Romans 8:28 (NRSV) We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Hold on to the memory verses you learned as a child! They will serve you well now as they did then. If this promise is new to you, claim it along with me. In God’s economy, there is possibility in every challenge and opportunity at every crossroads. In God’s grace-filled love, even the Biggest Loser can plumb new depths within her. Believe alongside me, will you?

Let us pray: Oh, faithful God, we believe you are present and working in these most unusual days. Help us to submit our lives to you, seeking opportunity within every challenge, drawing strength and courage for every curve on the road ahead. Your grace has been sufficient in the past and will be sufficient for us today and tomorrow. We will stand firm on all your promises! In Christ’s most holy name, AMEN.

Whatever it takes…for the sake of His glory!

Laura