Beyond the Couch
The crowd is on edge. Chicago Cubs, 12, Los Angeles Dodgers, 13. Cubs are at bat with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th inning. Wrigley Field is absolutely quiet, which is unheard of, so you can tell I am making this up now. Kris Bryant walks up to home plate. Strike one, strike two, and a swing and hit! It’s a walk off home run for Bryant, and the Cubs win the game! They are the 2020 National League Division Champs going to the World Series in …. September!
You may not know much about baseball, the MLB, or even the World Series; however, I can tell you one thing…the World Series is a November blockbuster TV series for two weeks. This thrilling spectacle NEVER takes place in September. But, with the Covid-19 Pandemic on board, nothing has escaped some type of change in procedures and protocols. Hence, professional baseball as we know it will be played only a portion of the season with playoffs in September. Who will be in the seats of these stadiums and ballparks?
The answer: we think it will be a big nobody. Zippo. Zilch. Zero fans. One thing is certain, televisions in households and in sports bars will be lit up. It’s gonna be a lit summer, after all.
We are fortunate to still experience favorite summer pastimes like professional baseball, even though it isn’t what we prefer. To be honest, I don’t like being stuck on my couch to experience church, baseball games, movies that could be seen in theaters. I am not a fan of teaching my classes from the desk in my bedroom with my students viewing my ceiling fan swirling on top of my head. I may as well get a spinning beanie hat. I am not a fan of online window shopping, nor dining on our favorite restaurant foods in carryout packages on our kitchen counter.
Nope. I prefer being in the stands and watching the baseball game, singing “Go Cubs Go”. I prefer to be inside of my church building and not on the couch with my kids scrambling for breakfast and making noises during our worship time. I prefer to be WITH my students and interacting with them. I absolutely prefer to window shop in person. How can window shopping online replace walking down Michigan Avenue in Chicago or small town squares like in Prescott, Arizona? I prefer the entire dining experience: relaxing, warm food, and no cleaning up!
At this juncture of the year with experiencing so many disappointments, loss, tragedy, sickness, I now suggest that we showcase our newest superhero uniform: P.G.P.C. – – plaid, gingham, polka dot, checker pants and matching top. Are you laughing picturing this absurd image?! I hope so, because we need to laugh and that part was a joke. I submit to you that our REAL new uniform is one of patience, grit, perseverance, and creativity.
Guys and gals!!!! YOU HAVE P.G.P.C!!! Way to go!!! We have spent the last four months (and beyond) in our most trying times in this country watching a virus attack our nation, climbing out of an economic pit, defending our hurt and victimized black sisters and brothers, feeling hopeless and stuck, and wishing this was all a bad dream. But come on you guys, I want to just cry thinking of how much we have grown internally. And I am talking about all of us – young children, teenagers, young adults, middle agers, elderly. So many people in America have had some of their hardest times in just four months. Let’s not give up hope.
Don’t stop fighting the good fight. You have had crazy huge patience, so give yourself a pat on the back. You have exhibited grit like nothing else, so please take a bow. If that isn’t enough, you have persevered more than the “Little Engine Who Thought He Could”; go ahead and throw me a high five. Creativity – this is unbelievable what we have seen out there during stay at home orders, mask designs, and peaceful protesting on social media to educate and use the privilege of free speech to see positive change happen. Time to do your happy dance. It’s okay to do this with people looking. Remember: we need to laugh!
No lying down. We are standing tall and will overcome these hard times. WE will not give up. We WILL see hope on the horizon of these long and grueling months. I pray for you and your circumstances and for all our nation is facing now.
One way to become stronger together is to encourage those around you. Reach out to someone and tell them they have the P.G.P.C uniform they need to WIN over their challenges. Go ahead and don’t be shy ya’ll. Make a phone call. Send a text or email. Write a letter to send in the mail. Post it on social media and feel free to tag me:
Instagram and Facebook: Hope Follows
I learned a long time ago that we are never alone; God has placed some really great people in our lives to encourage and receive encouragement from. They are our “team”, and that is perfect timing for baseball season. Go Cubs Go!
P.G.P.C. = PATIENCE, GRIT, PERSEVERANCE, CREATIVITY
“And endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” Romans 5:4-5
