This is a saying you hear a lot in sports. It basically means that “defense” wins championships and the best thing to help your offense succeed is if you have a good defense.
There is some truth to it. I get it. But even if your defense allows zero points by the other team, your offense still has to score a point to win. And no defense is that good consistently.
You need both in my view. Both have to be good. Both win championships. It’s not one or the other.
But something happened to me yesterday that made me believe in it more than I have in the past.
Yesterday I was at my normal coffee shop and was on the phone. Very very small coffee shop. Maybe room for 10 people. And a sign on the door that says no dogs allowed. It’s just too cramped. So a guy comes in with a large dog and the dog starts barking and he just thinks it’s the cutest thing. Talking to the dog about how these aren’t strangers, he doesn’t need to be upset…blah blah blah. But it was LOUD. As I said, I was on the phone as were others.
I stayed on the phone, shook my head, and walked outside to continue my phone call.
Apparently the guy turned to the barista (the manager of the store) and said “what a ______” and he was talking about me.
The manager stopped making his coffee and said, “Hey man, not only is that guy one of the nicest guys I know, he’s a regular in here and a friend. Furthermore, it’s your dog barking in a store where there is a sign that says no dogs allowed. So I don’t think the problem is my friend, the problem is you”
I of course was not aware of any of this exchange as I was outside on the phone. I came back in and the manager came over and told me this.
I thanked him and had to excuse myself. I couldn’t stop the tears.
I was defended. By a near stranger. He stood up for me. And for no gain to himself. It wasn’t that I was bothered about the guy’s comment. That’s not the point. I quite literally couldn’t care less about that. But I was so touched that someone would defend me. For reasons that aren’t important here, that’s rare. Very rare. Most don’t think I need defending. In fact most want to measure up against me in some way or another.
But he defended me. Not because he thought I needed it, but because he thought I was worth it. And that’s what brought the tears.
That “defense” is a great offense for me. As I go through life and field the attacks and the pressures of this world, I have new strength. I have someone who stood in the gap for me.
2 Thess 3:3 – But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen me and protect me from the evil one
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