Finally it’s over! Now we can get onto the sports that really matters (at least to some): Spring Training and baseball!! 🙂 I have a daughter who would most certainly agree with me.
Actually, I really don’t care what sport it is as long as it is not the NBA. WNBA. NFL. Soccer. College football. NHL. UFC. Or the others with initials. I follow the Pittsburgh Pirates, but I’m not a rabid fan, so even that takes second place (or wherever the Pirates find themselves at the time). I used to follow professional cycling until blood doping became a major scandal. I am not a prophet but I can only see more danger ahead for players and non-players due to the “licensed” betting which is now being allowed. I see no good thing coming out of that, only heartache for players, people and families. I have never placed a bet in my life and have no desire to. Shoot, I’ve never even bought a lottery ticket. I certainly have no plans to start going down that road at the age of 72.
Why am I so cynical when I’m not normally that way? I’m glad you asked! 🙂 I guess it is because there are so many more important things to do and to like and to allow to occupy my time. As I’ve just said, I see nothing but heartache in the future. Plus, and this is a big plus, I used to spend so much time eating and breathing sports, especially basketball, that I got “lost” along the way. I have two adult daughters who are obviously on their own. I have a grandson who will be attending THE Ohio State University (according to the pundits) in the fall.
What flashes before my eyes is what am I leaving behind? What is my legacy? They aren’t going to stand at my grave and say, “Thanks Dad for being a sports fanatic.” “Thanks grandpa for being a Pirate fan (he is a Reds fan).” 🙂 My wife of almost 52 years this June will not say, “Thanks Bill for loving sports so much you watched all the games.” What I want them to remember is that I loved them, made time for them, laughed with them, cried with them, celebrated with them, and chose them over sports or money. You see…I was made to bless others. You were made to bless others. God blessed me and He blessed you not for my or your own good but because He can then use me or you to bless others. I’m reminded of Micah 6:8-“This is what the Lord requires of you: to do what is right (to do justice), to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.” What a much more meaningful legacy to leave! I applaud each athlete who competes according to the rules, but their greater legacy is not whether they were the GOAT, but whose life was changed for the good because of their influence.
That is a true legacy worth thinking and talking about.
I follow sports so closely, I still don’t know who won the Superbowl. My evening was spent hanging out with family up at my oldest son’s house talking and enjoying a meal. The tv didn’t even come on. Good evening had and good memories made.
Sounds like heaven to me Ryan. I was putting together a shelf for Tami so by default I watched the game. Believe it or not, Jo had it on. But as soon as I was done with the shelf I went into my Cave to get away from it. I went to bed not knowing who won. Didn’t know. Didn’t care.
Many years ago, I chose Micah 6:8 as my life verse. I’m with you, Bill, about how I want to be remembered by my children and grandchildren when all is said and done. Sports are fun to watch, but if your entire life revolves around that, you are losing out on what is most important: family!
Blessings!
I totally agree with you Martha. See Ryan’s comment below for my take on the whole thing.
I used to watch sports all the time, I still watch some, but it is certainly not a focus of my life now.
I lived a life for most of my life so far, as a religious life, but not a Christ focused life. Even after coming to Christ at 38, it still took at least another twelve years, to understand what God focused life looked like and to break so many habits of old religious life. If you would have told me four and half years ago I would be involved in two pray groups, praying out loud, and being a pray warrior for the community, I would have said I am not good at that, you have the wrong person. I just want to finish strong, and encourage as many people as I can, how important God’s word is, and how to listen to God’s calling and let God be control.
Gail: I love to hear those words “I want to finish strong.” That says resting on your…ahem…laurels is not going to cut it. I’m glad to see how God turned you around or maybe set you on the right path to be used by Him.