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What the Cubs' Win Teaches Us All

November 16, 2016 by Stephanie Leave a Comment

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Watching the Cubs play in the games leading to the World Series became a family bonding event. I’m sure it was for many others as well. But what I didn’t realize at the time was that a teaching moment surfaced.
I suppose what made the experience unique for us is that sports are not my family’s passion.  Neither our abilities nor our interests lean in the direction of athletics (oh, but we’ve tried.) That’s not to say I haven’t rooted for specific teams. During football playoffs, I become a Bear’s fan with the rest of my city. The energy feeds into the somewhat routine moments of my cold weather days. And who doesn’t enjoy a feast of fattening snacks in the name of football watching (or, for me, socializing?) I suppose that would make me a fair weather fan. I’m OK with that.
However growing up in the Chicago burbs, my kids are well aware of fan frenzy for our teams. So, them, like my husband and I, join in the excitement when one of our local teams is edging toward a championship.
Actually, the Cubs hold about the only long term sports spot in our hearts (except for my oldest son who has chosen to rebel as a Sox fan). Furthermore, we have actually attended Cubs’ games (my son included)!  In this age of digital entertainment and season of discontent, gathering together at a baseball game for the sake of encouragement is refreshing. It’s a tradition that spans through decades of wars, national catastrophes, numerous presidents. One community-many generations-united for the sole purpose of rooting on the home team. We may not know the players personally-but “they” are “ours.”
For fans, disappointments and euphoria intermingle throughout the season….and the years. Yet, loyalty remains. We believe in them. “They” are part of “us.”
Last Wednesday night, in our homage to the home team, our family cozied up to watch the World Series. Together we united in celebrating great plays and clenched our teeth in the 7th inning.
They have to win. It’s been 108 years. ONE HUNDRED. EIGHT. YEARS.
And as the drama unfolded throughout the added innings and rain delays, I felt a desperate wish for them that my usual non sports engaging heart has felt. ever. Could they really win?
Then it happened! Really! The Cubs clinched a title that had eluded them for a century. To see them win brought tears.
You see, besides the obvious joy experienced by exerting skill at the highest level, they kept their eyes on a vision. A collective vision. One that former players didn’t live to see. One that garnered mocking from others-even fans.
That action resonated with me. Inspired me. And made me think about my kids.
They are growing up in a culture of rapid speed gratification and increasing self focus. Waiting is not embraced. Community engagement toward a vision is a somewhat foreign concept. Don’t like what’s on tv? Choose one of the million other channels. Don’t want to wait in line at the amusement park? By a flash pass. Can’t afford a wanted item? Charge it and pay later.  Don’t like what someone says on your Instagram? Block them.
As I was reflecting on Thursday morning about idea that my kids could learn something from the Cubs, my daughter, as if on cue, remarked,“Why would anyone continue to follow a team that never wins?”
My own child’s bemoaning question had confirmed my thoughts.
Once upon a time, loyalty and patience were valued. People are not disposable. Dare I say teams are included. Life is complicated and giving up on relationships and tasks when we are not receiving the fulfillment of immediate gratification robs us of participating in the whole narrative . Most of the time, the end result is sweeter than expected. That includes the shaping of our character.
How did the Israelites react to hardships along their long journey to the promised land? What act did Abraham resort to when God seemingly failed to fulfill the vision originally spoken to him? Humans have always found it difficult to keep focused on the bigger picture. Waiting is hard work when the outcome is fixed to our expectations. Yet, faith is believing in something that may exceed our expectations-in ways that only God can help us see.
Who knew a baseball game would prove to be such a powerful venue for engaging as a family? We will remember that week as we cheered together, Joked during commercials. And celebrated with the fans around the country with whom we shared a common vision. No electronic device or other technology could instantly give us the result we desired.
And that’s really the point- We don’t always have to be in control. Sometimes, life demands that we let go and live in the uncertainty while maintaining hope. 
So while we can focus on the thrill of the win, perhaps there’s a deeper lesson that lies within.
 
 

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Filed Under: Sacred Connections Tagged With: baseball, Chicago, Cubs, fans, Israelites, lesson.World Series, loyalty, patience, team

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When my first child was born 20 plus years ago, I envisioned taking just a few years off from my role as Pastor of Youth and Family. While that didn’t exactly unfold as expected, God used my gifts and skills in other ways. Read More…

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Sometimes, I go to Target and virtually keep them company as they shop for items. Once in a while, I accompany them on a drive through line to their favorite fast food restaurant. Other times, I walk with them back from class to the dorm. There is no agenda outside of simply connecting and listening. And then there are moments where I am put on speaker mode and I sit in silence while homework is worked on. The reason? To simply sit in their presence.

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This is the second time the landscape changed next door since our family planted roots here twenty four years ago. Each time, the new life sprouts up in different ways. Currently, the sights and sounds of young children remind me of where I once was and where I am now.

The seasons of parenting all have their variety of days. There were moments that felt long and dark. Sometimes the idea of getting up the next morning to experience another one felt overwhelming. But scattered throughout the years, were moments of joyful collaborative discoveries of the beauty of this life. Watching your child explore the world around them through their senses is magical. It refreshes any of our own that have grown stagnant.

I love living in an intergenerational neighborhood. Because I need it. Revisiting the seasons of life through new narratives brings me joy. I share in the excitement of the neighbor girl losing her tooth and laugh at her story about the tooth fairy forgetting her tooth. That happened in our house too.

My children are now young adults. People say “the days are long and the years are short.” That feels true. But I am thankful to have the opportunity to relive some of those days with a new generation. It reminds me of the welcoming spaces created for life to bloom, theirs and mine.

#neighborhood #parentingyoungadults #herviewfromhome #Redbudwriters #stephaniejthompson
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This wasn’t the first time, we ventured into the town of my paternal roots When my children were young, we occassionally drove through the town. We drove past relative’s homes and I pointed out favorite destination spots. However, the questions grew deeper and the curiosity expanded as they grew older. Connections to itheir story have been formed.

We enjoyed stomping around the nostalgic grounds together while recognizing how our family’s story fits into a bigger one. I whirled around with my kids on the same carnival ride seats that I once shared with my parents and siblings. We munched on the same tasty comfort food that I delighted in as a child. And watched, with wonder, the twinkly lights of a magical place, lighting up a dusky hot summer night. We walked in the footsteps of those in their personal narrative.

The deeper thoughts and questions came as we winded through the small town, retracing the paths of my youth. However, this time around, their ears longed to know more. How is this person related? Who was the relative that was known for…..? The visual unfolding of a story gives you a context for understanding what has shaped you. It is both formative and yet allows for questions and discerning what you will do with it. What will you embrace and how will you respond to it’s influences?

These are the moments that I do not want to take for granted. Navigating our story together is a gift.

#familystories #parentingyoungadults
#whoami #ancestorsspeak
#familyroots #stephaniejthompson
#Redbudwriters
"Sometimes Jesus’s interruptions mean a reorient "Sometimes Jesus’s interruptions mean a reorienting with our whole being. Surrendering vocational plans and expectations. Using our finances,time and talents in ways that take us out of our comfort zones. Letting go of previously held assumptions about who Jesus is."

#Redbudwriters #Jesusinterrupts #Luke5 #followingjesus #discipleship
Load More Follow on Instagram

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