In the fall of 2005, my youngest son became the first Aggie in our immediate family. Whether or not you are a Texas Longhorn or a Texas Aggie, you have to appreciate the many long-held traditions of the Aggies.

On a historical tour that year, we were taken to a statue of C. King Gill, who stands life-size on a pedestal in bronze in front of Kyle Field. As the story goes, A&M was in the Dixie Bowl in Dallas, Texas on January 1, 1922. The Aggies as the underdog team were playing Centre College, then the nation's top ranked team.

One by one, players were injured, leaving Coach Dana Bible with the problem of possibly having to forfeit the game. He remembered one player, C. King Gill, a former football player who was now playing basketball. Gill was called from the stands, suited up with an injured player's uniform and at the end of the forth quarter he was the only player standing on the sidelines for the Aggies. He was later quoted as saying, "I wish I could say that I went in and ran for the winning touchdown, but I did not. I simply stood by in case my team needed me."

Thus, was born the spirit of "The Twelfth Man." So, to this day, the whole Aggie student body stands for the entire football game to show support for their team.

The Christian, as well, is reminded repeatedly in Scripture to "be ready." We are called to "be watchful" for the coming of our Lord. There is a real sense of urgency to be the Lord's "twelfth man;" always ready and willing to serve wherever and whenever he calls us.

"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning…"-Luke 12:35

God help us to "be dressed and ready" as we serve Him.

By the way, A&M won the game that year. The score was 22 to 14! Whoop!