Jake Elliott

// To be clear, I know nothing about football. That’s my disclaimer. Don’t check my stats. //

If you don’t know Jake Elliott, you’re not alone. Turns out that despite Taylor and Travis’ best efforts, there’s still a small sect of humanity who doesn’t know / care / want to know about the NFL. And quite honestly, neither did I.

A few years ago my husband launched a book which warranted a release party. We sent the invite to only find out what a huge snafu it was to have an event on the same evening of an Eagles playoff game. And while my level of connection with the person describing this flub to me was about the same as with a toddler trying to explain his need for more Cheetos, I smiled and was sorry to hear that friend would not be attending because of the blessed game.

But, that was then. This is now.

Once a brother rivalry was dominating headlines for an impending Superbowl, my attention turned, along with every other head in America, to the Kelce brothers. (Now, I thought they were twins, which really had me invested, and I was only slightly disappointed to learn that they weren’t.) The mom’s jacket, the divided heart, is exactly what I feel during indoor soccer Saturday games when my twin boys play against one another, but this really isn’t the point.

A small transformation took place for me as I started asking Chris what time the game was – and doing a little re-scheduling to make sure we didn’t miss it. As amazing as it was to learn of the tush-push, or see Travis give heart hands toward Taylor, my attention was always on this one player whose consistency and placement put him in the spotlight.

The Eagles placekicker, Jake Elliott.

One job. Run out onto field. Place ball. Kick ball through goal posts. Each and every time.

When Sirianni needed a strong defense or someone to catch the ball in the end zone, he never called Jake.

They only called Jake to kick.

The role of kicker seems so boujee. Like, Jake just sits on the sidelines with his Nintendo Switch playing Mario Kart under a blanket with a bag of chips opened beside him. Then every once in a while when his sweaty teammates were worn out and no one on the field had it in them to kick the ball - they called on Jake.

But, no. Jake trained and kicked and trained and kicked — and you know what — he was really good at it.

Though he clearly secured the “Eagles kicker” market, imagine how frustrating it would be for Jake if he wanted to run the ball. Or if every time Jalen threw a touch down or Jason buried into the other team, Jake felt bad about himself. Jake’s gift wasn’t Jalen’s gift whose wasn’t Jason’s gift.

How frustrating can it be when you see other people succeeding at their gift — while you sit and bury yours?

Jake Elliott stood out to me because he had his one job and he did it–and did it really well. There was a 90 minute game but he often only went out for a total of 6.2 minutes (my own stats). I don’t think he sat on the sidelines crying or asking Sirianni if he could go in the middle of a play and kick just because he was feeling sorry for himself.

No, I think he trained and waited - trained and waited - and when it was his time to go in - he nailed it every time.

I’ve personally had seasons of my life where I watched others around me succeed and it made me feel like I wasn’t being used. I could justify it with being a mom-season, but I’ve always known that deep down, God has gifted me with very specific gifts that, like Jake, are only used at critical points in time.

The risk of watching others “get more playing time” or “clearly succeeding at what they do” is that the more time you spend whining, the less time you have training for your time to go in.

But the reality with having a gift — is that it’s yours. Perfectly designed and given to you to be used for God’s glory (not your own).

Don’t you see it every time you watch American Idol? There aren’t a few good singers trying out. EVERY PERSON TRYING OUT IS A GOOD SINGER AND BILLIONS HAVE RETURNED HOME NOT THE AMERICAN IDOL WINNER (“billions” is my stat).

So, how can it be? Is the winning American Idol the only good singer? No. Should the good singers who were sent home stop singing? No. And it’s my understanding you can never stop a singer who thinks they’re good anyways - they’ll let you know by singing while washing dishes, taking a shower or just belting it out in the car when the beat drops.

I digress.

Jake Elliott trains for one thing–to kick. And when it’s his time to get on the field–he kicks. And he does it really well.

What are you holding off on doing because you keep looking at others around you who do it better? Or what gift do you have that you are keeping to yourself, because although you’re a “kicker” you want to be the QB?

I say all this to say — we are all Jake Elliott. We have a gift and a goal. Your life is the ball soaring through the air toward the goal posts –– and using your gift is that kick being “good.”

When Jake’s kicks are good EVERYONE cheers. It moves the team forward. The team loves it, the fans love it, and the coaches definitely love it. Especially the owner of the team who’s analyzing his investments. 😜

Use your gift. That when used — not only brings you joy but spreads joy to everyone around you. God gave it to you for reason.

** If you’re home with kids or battling some serious things in your life, this may not be your time to run on the field yet and kick. But, you can be training. You can be practicing quietly in your bedroom, or reading as much as you can on a subject, you could be painting a little here or running a little there. You may not be able to commit to the widows ministry at your church, but you can mail a card to her this week saying you are praying for her and asking her what her favorite meal is for a future time when you have a time to cook.

While we often want to do it and do it all NOW, there are plays being called all around you that perhaps your specific gift hasn’t been needed just yet. So, be praying. Be training. Lay off the Nintendo Switch and cheetos and stand ready and willing when your name is called.

love you, dear reader. xo