A Team Sport

By: Ivonne J. Hernandez

I was watching a TV show earlier this week. A woman had just finished making a potato salad when her mother pointed out that as soon as she walked away, she would add some mustard, and then her brother would come by and add celery. Half-jokingly, the woman said, “Am I going to have to stand here and guard this potato salad?” Her mother replied, “Only if you think you are the only one who can make it right.”

I think we can all relate to this; I know I do. I look at the world and have opinions on many things; I often think my way of doing things is better. It is easy to look at our neighbor, parish, workplace, or community and notice all the things we would do differently. We can get inside our own little heads and forget we do not have all the information; we forget that we are not in the other person’s shoes. In our neat little box, we identify what needs fixing. And then, we criticize. And, even if we don’t continue down this path and end up gossiping, judging, and who knows what else… How much time and energy do we waste? What if, instead of trying to take over the job of another, we ask, how can we help?

“For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:7-8).
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“It looks like a solitary sport, but it takes a team.” These words were spoken by Diana Nyad after achieving her lifetime dream of swimming (without a shark cage) from Cuba to Key West. She was over 60 years old when, in her fifth attempt, and with a team of about 40 traveling with her, she swam 110.86 miles in 52 hours, 54 minutes, and 18 seconds. As I watched the film Nyad, based on this true story, I was struck by how much each team member sacrificed to support Diana on her journey. But I was also struck by how much they each gained. The coach, the navigator, the kayak swimmers, the medic… each of them had a role to play, and in helping Diana complete her race, they completed their own race.

“If you want something done right, do it yourself.” This is a lie. When we take over and do the job meant for another, we take away the means God has prepared for their holiness. We let pride lead and take the easy way out. Love plays its part, supporting and helping, not taking over and leaving the other behind. Even if it would be quicker and easier to do something by ourselves, there is great joy when we allow others to help. 

“Finally, all of you, be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble” (1 Peter 3:8). 
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(Spoiler alert!) One of the things portrayed in the film is Diana Nyad's growth in humility. The realization of how much she needed her team came about after much heartache and failure. She realized that while she swam in the dark, alone with her thoughts, others were watching her back, guiding the boat, providing her food and water, and keeping her safe; they were making the journey with her. Once she realized each person in her team, handpicked for their particular skills, was not disposable or easily replaceable, pride dissipated and she became grateful. Her role in this journey was hers alone, but she could not make it alone. She needed a team; she needed friends; she needed love.

“Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” (Romans 12:9-11)
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Ivonne J. Hernandez

Ivonne is a Catholic wife, mother, Lay Associate of the Blessed Sacrament, President of Elisheba House, speaker, and writer. Author of The Rosary: Eucharistic Meditations. Regular contributor for CatholicMom.com and the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament's Daily Eucharistic Reflection. She has written for other publications, including Emmanuel Publishing and Shalom Magazine. She and her husband, Rick Hernandez, coordinate the RCIA program at their home parish. She loves choral music and is a member of the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay. She lives in Trinity, FL with her husband and two of her young adult sons.