Lessons From Twenty-One

Twenty-one retired from basketball this past Monday, July 11. The end of an amazing long era! Jeff McDonald, Sports writer for the San Antonio Express News wrote "There are grown adults in San Antonio who have never known a Spurs team without Tim Duncan. He might as well be the Alamo."  Insert chuckle here. 

There were tweets from around the sports world sending Tim best wishes and remembering his great accomplishments over 19 years of play for the San Antonio Spurs.  Quiet. Humble. Greatest power forward of all time.  Champion. About winning. Respect. Best example of a leader. Role model. Admiration. I loved Becky Hammon's tweet…"Congratulations to TD- the best to ever do it! You showed the world how to win with grace, humility, and by empowering your teammates around you. It's the WAY you won, the way you taught, the way you mentored, the way you led by example, the way you worked, the way you always kept your character and integrity intact, always encouraging, never stepping on someone else to get to the top. Instead you grabbed everyone around you and led them to the top with you, all the winning- did I mention the sense of humor? There will never be another like you- enjoy the next chapter!" Wow. Insert tear drop here.

I have two favorite memories of TD. One occurred at the beginning of the game where Timmy cradles the ball for a good stretch before the tip.  We've all seen that picture. The second is at the end of a game where Timmy will NEVER exit the floor until the very last Spur has made their way to the locker room. Timmy always brought up the rear. It reminds me of a shepherd, always tending to his sheep and not letting any of them get away from the flock.

Timmy was an influencer of many.  Stop and consider how many in the NBA have been influenced by Tim Duncan in some way?  Now, let's think a moment about yourself. Who are YOU influencing? Who are YOU pouring your life into? Are YOU sharing your very best with others? Are YOU truly being humble and kind? What legacy are YOU leaving? Tim's example challenges us to consider these tough questions.

Mike Breen writes "People desperately need a flesh-and-blood example to look at, watch, ask questions, receive teaching and apprentice themselves to." So don't just tell people to pray; show them how. Don't just tell people to forgive; show them how. Breen writes:  "At gut-level honesty, most of us don't have the confidence to offer our lives as something to imitate, do we? Why?"  Often, it's because we don't believe we have a life that others would want to have. 

Who are you becoming? Are you giving it away? Take a lesson from Twenty-One.

"You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others." 2 Timothy 2:2

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.