My youngest son and I sat and played a few games of chess. He beat me every time, though I don’t mind. I loved watching him use his skills and put them into action. He is quite clever at this game, and to be honest, I am unsure that I will ever beat him at it. Yet, I keep playing the game because it’s not about winning, it’s the journey of playing. The memories being created with each pawn moved and check mate said. It is the time together, it is the precious moments, the laughter, and the building of character and confidence. Yes, even for me, as I too become more skilled in the art of chess. Sometimes life is like that. Maybe to the rest of the world, we are not winning in life. Maybe we don’t have the biggest house, fanciest car or most high paying career as we flaunt our latest Louis Vuitton bag. Though it is okay if you have those things, the biggest flex in life is not in things. It is in people. It is in love. It is in time well spent. It is in built memories. It is in most importantly, faith, and our walk with God. Though even as my son won the games, he would have wanted to play, even if he had lost. For he understood that though the game is fun, it was time spent together and because of that, we both walked away feeling like winners. What I have also learned is that when we walk with God, we are always winning in the best way possible; because we are on Gods side. And He holds the victory both now and hereafter. After a few games of chess, we packed up the big wooden board and put away the wooden chess pieces and we both left filled with joy with time well spent and both feeling pretty victorious.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Victorious

1 John 5:4 NIV

for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.