Month: November 2009 (Page 2 of 3)

one thing never ceases to amaze me: how is it possible that on a given saturday, every single person who knows all rules and correct play calling strategy to the game of football – how do they all end up in the stadium, with the loudest ones near me? how is that possible? is there a football pre-test to getting tickets? and how did i sneak in? did the runners-up end up at bw3s?

but really, while at the OSU/Iowa game this weekend, i was quite amazed at how all the folks around me were shouting out a few tips to a coach with just a *few* more years of football coaching experience. i especially loved how, when the lineman jumped offsides at the point of OSU’s near-interception, no less than 3 people informed the lineman of the bonehead move. really. i’m sure he was completely unaware, and when he was yanked from the game he probably went up and asked tressel directly “why am i not still in the game?”

I do appreciate how KLM says it… at the end of the day, they’re just a bunch of young boys. people get all over the quarterback. if memory serves me correctly, he was a true freshman last year, which makes him a sophomore (but again, i somehow squeezed out of taking the admission pre-test of football knowledge). if, indeed, he is a sophomore, the boy cannot even buy his own celebratory malt beverage after the game. but yet, he shall remain error-less, thus saith the football gods. he can’t even rent a car!

but, it was a good game, very exciting at the end. i even found myself yelling out a cheer or two and thinking to myself, “that’s funny. i’m pretty sure whatever i just said won’t be heard on the field.” but that’s what got me thinking about this post.

so, my words of encouragement weren’t heard by the young whippersnappers. but is that the point? is the point the wit and power of my words? probably not. but, by joining in the ruckus that my all-knowing football fans were already making, it did help to be that much louder. if everyone realized that their words of wisdom wouldn’t be heard and everyone was quiet, the atmosphere of the game would be pretty lame. the players would think no one cared. it’d be like tennis.

so maybe this is true in many areas of life. the point isn’t just to be heard, but rather to join in making change. i can write WalMart all the letters i want, and sam walton probably doesn’t care. however my lack of patronizing, alongside several others who make a little noise and choose meijer (or the local a&a), will change the atmosphere. others will feel empowered. i hope.

so, what a lesson from a bunch of football has-beens or never-weres. it’s not so bad to give a little hoot as long as we remember it’s not what we say but the action we intend to inspire.

i did. it was ichthus and God was showing his “ever present” sense of humor because K and I thought we’d be funny and make camo shirts for the kids that said Enduring R.A.S.H. (Rain And Sweat for Him). and then i got a rash. on my eye.

in actuality i think it was a string of cold sores – i get them on my mouth for 4 major reasons: sun, stress, sickness and citrus. too much of any of them and i get a pretty little mark. (yes, there is a little bit of stress in taking a bunch of teenagers out of state to live out of tents for 4 days). i’m now currently working on my second cold sore (on my mouth this time, thank goodness) in under a month. ugh.

usually i take it as a sign that i need to slow down and heal up. it’s like my pre-warning. unless i get it after my sickness, to which it says “i told you so.” but recently we’ve been running a marathon, but sometimes at the speed of a sprint. those of you who know my running abilities might say “but wait, i didn’t think you had a sprint?” ah, yes, you are correct. as K might say, “it’s more of a lope.” but it’s faster than a normal pace than i’m used to handling.

we’re on the home stretch. Hubby is in the kitchen studying for the praxis at this moment. lists are made for the big birthday bash. we have a plan of attack in order for the pre-party cleaning (which makes no sense because i can just guess what my house will look like POST party – there will be 3 others that are 3 or under!).

i’m trying to figure out what it means to “take it easy” with things. what is cluttering up my time that i’m doing so much that i’m waking up tired? surely there’s a way to whittle down to necessities, at least for the next few weeks. on the other hand, i don’t want to miss out on wonderful opportunites to fully enjoy the days God has granted just because i’m “tired.” what a pickle.

my lesson learned most recently: at the end of the day, it CAN be put away. i’m not so important that the world will stop moving without me. clearly. since all of the managers i’m working with insist upon escalating every issue. 🙂