Jackson Christian's Finton relied on God during head injury

A dream was quickly coming a reality last May for Jackson Christian's Parker Finton. The Eagles were leading in a Class A-AA sectional game against Dyersburg, and Finton was going to have the opportunity to play in the state tournament.

But late in the game, everything changed. On a tackle from behind, Finton's head hit the ground, and he didn't move for a moment.

"It was the probably the toughest moment I have ever had, sports related," Finton said. "It was a sectional game. We were up, and then all of a sudden I am taken out from behind. My season is over."

Finton suffered a concussion, and after the game was over, he couldn't remember anything that happened that day. He was taken to the emergency room and quickly gained his bearings. But after the concussion, he wasn't going to get to play in the state quarterfinals three days later.

It was then that he had to put his trust in God.

"You sit there and think about why does this have to happen to me," Finton said. "We are going to state, and I want to be there for the team. But then you realize that maybe it happened for a reason. My teammates were there for me after the game, and I think it made the team closer. You have to fight through it. Everything happens for a reason."

When Finton is on the soccer field, he always wants to play with a purpose.

"If you are playing for yourself or some other reason, the ultimate goal of anything is to play in His name and do it for the good of His will," Finton said. "If you are doing something, whether it be school work or a soccer or whatever, for the wrong reason, what is the point of doing it."

That is the way that Finton tries to approach each day also. He wants others to see Christ through him.

"The Bible says to act like Jesus does, so if you go around talking bad about people and at the same time claim that you are a Christian, people are going to view Christianity in a bad way," Finton said. "I try every day to come to school with a good attitude and smile. People may be having a bad day, and you smile at them, it could completely change their day. Then they say they want to be like that or I want to be around that person."

To make sure his day is centered on God, Finton puts time aside to spend alone with Him.

"I try to take 10 minutes out of the day, and spend time with God," Finton said. "Any personal time that you can spend with God is special, no matter how long it is. I take that time and put soccer behind, put school behind and put anything else behind, and remember what is important in life."

God has always been an important part of Finton's life and always there when Finton has gone through a trial like moving schools after his freshman year.

"When I made the transition from Trenton my freshman year to Jackson Christian, I think it was a turning point," Finton said. "It was a turning point to come to a school where you are surrounded by Christian people like yourself. This was something that I didn't see at all, and now all of a sudden I am here."

Finton attends Main Street Church of Christ in Milan, and he is active is the youth group and considers himself one of the leaders of the youth group. He also does the Lord's Supper, prayers and Scripture readings sometimes.

"I have always loved the story of Noah and the ark," Finton said. "He was the only man alive that followed still followed God. Sometimes it can feel that way for Christians. This world is a crazy place, and you can feel alone. Eventually, his family came to help him, and they all survived. You are never the only one. You always need to find that person who helps you push through things. You always should push through tough times."

Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.

Parker Finton's favorite verse

Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.