Yesterday was the final of the French Open tennis championship. The Italian, Jannik Sinner played the Spaniard, Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner won the first two sets; Alcaraz won the third. Sinner had three match points in the fourth; Alcaraz turned it round and won the set. The fifth set went to a tie break – which Alcaraz won.
The match lasted five hours and 29 minutes – the longest French Open final ever. Alcaraz’s victory was seen across the world. Experts are calling it ‘epic’, ‘a classic’, ‘one of the greatest ever grand slam finals’.
Sport gives big winners huge publicity – and huge financial reward. Victory and success is often given a high profile to sports stars, political leaders, the rich and the famous. It can be boastful, self-justifying, arrogant, uncomfortable…
This morning I read this story: ‘There was a small town with only a few people, and a great king came with his army and besieged it. A poor, wise man knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterward no one thought to thank him.’ (Ecclesiastes 9:14-15 NLT)
Such a contrast to the Alcaraz victory!
There is a more humble recognition of victory and success, effort and achievement. The 8-year-old performing on a stage for the first time… the 18-year-old passing their driving test… the 28-year-old learning to be a good parent…
Yesterday at church I chatted to ordinary people, facing their own challenges… a determined young man who’s battled with addiction… a bright, cheerful woman living with disability… a successful businessman facing possible redundancy… a Godly woman uncertain where she will live… an elderly couple frustrated by weaker minds and bodies.
Each, in their lives now, like the nameless ‘poor wise man’ are experiencing victories and successes… usually unnoticed, unrecognised and un-thanked… most certainly benefiting those around them.
My prayer this morning is that I will be better at noticing the unrecognised and apparently inconsequential victories and successes of those I know and meet – and thank them.
malcolmsmusings.org 
There are plenty who struggle valiantly day after day, against the odds, who aren’t the news. Thank you for the reminder that all of us are recovering from something. Your post reminds me to pause and look for the story behind someone else’s story. As a pastor friend told me, when I was disappointed in another person’s behavior, “David, we all have feet of clay.” Thank you, Malcolm. 🙏🇬🇧🇺🇸
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Like you, David, with some folks, it’s easier to criticise their failures, or not notice them, than it is to acknowledge and celebrate their successes.
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A lovely prayer, Malcolm, thank you!
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Sadly, for me, Dana, it’s easier prayed than done… It’s a work in progress.
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Me too!
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A beautiful and important prayer. Thank you for the reminder, Malcolm!
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It was a reminder to me, Wynne; if it was a reminder to you too, then thank you.
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Lovely prayer 💜
God bless you 🌹
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They are words that I often need to pray.
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