An Unlikely Hero

An Unlikely Hero

Bible Blast: Read Psalm 104:31-34

May the glory of the LORD continue forever! The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made! Psalm 104:31

Jason “J-Mac” McElwain is highly functional in spite of having autism, a brain disorder that made him what some might call disabled. In high school, the basketball coach, Jim Johnson, heard that J-Mac loved the game. He asked Jason to be the team manager, figuring it would be too difficult for him to be a player. Jason served in his position faithfully. He got water bottles for the players, helped out during practice, and was a fantastic motivator for the team before a game. He also spent many hours in the empty gym shooting baskets by himself.

For the last game of the season in Jason’s senior year, Coach Johnson let J-Mac suit up (put on a team uniform), figuring that would help Jason feel like he was more a part of the team. With four minutes to go in the game, Coach Johnson did something shocking. He stood up and pointed to Jason, telling him to get in the game. Their team had racked up a big lead, and the coach wanted to let Jason play. When J-Mac bounded out onto the court, the crowd went wild.

The first shot he threw was way off. The second shot missed too. But on the third shot, Jason nailed a three-pointer! And that’s not the end of it.

Jason hit three point shots again—and again—and again—and again—and again! And he made one two-pointer! That’s right! This autistic teenager made twenty points in four minutes!

When the buzzer sounded, the crowd was in a frenzy trying to get to Jason. They lifted him up on their shoulders, cheering, clapping, and crying for their hero.

Every time I watch the video of Jason making those shots, I get tears in my eyes. When I see the crowd fly off the bleachers, going crazy for Jason, I know that God was jumping up off his throne, dancing in circles for him too. God takes such pleasure in us. He loves it every time you achieve something because he made you and he loves his creation!

Girl Gab: Mom, go online and look up Jason McElwain. The video of those miraculous four minutes can be found in many different places. Watch Jason’s story together. Grab the tissues! It’s a tearjerker!