I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, reflecting, and praying lately. I’m not sure whether it’s been a more of a habit because of where we are in life, the holiday season, or just the need for faith to take deeper roots in my soul. Whatever the cause it’s spurred this blog post…
Three years ago today I was in a fairly new relationship with a girl I’d wanted to date for some time – I’m now fortunate enough to call her my wife. I was working for the Colts, traveling with the team doing radio coverage, and we were selected to play the Thanksgiving Day game in Atlanta against the Falcons. We won the game pretty convincingly which made for a nice return, but the Wednesday night and Thursday morning in our Atlanta hotel is part of what has led me here three years later.
I’m convinced it was that trip and missing the time with my family, friends, and Maggie that was part of what convinced me to leave the team to pursue a family of my own and another career. I distinctly remember going to the sports bar in the hotel and having veggies and hummus for lunch since they were short staffed thanks to the holiday. I remember receiving text pictures of turkeys and dinners where I wanted to be so badly but couldn’t be based on my responsibilities.
Fast-forward three years and here we are in the hospital giving thanks for every day we are here and every day Wyatt grows a little more and gets ready to enter this world. It’s not sad because of hope. Sure, we wish things we different, but they aren’t and this is now our world to embrace.
The road since leaving the Colts has been bumpy at best and recently took a hard left turn in learning that my current company can’t afford to keep a full-time marketing executive into 2010. I’m not writing that for pity, sympathy, or anything other than the need to get it off my chest and hopefully move forward with great enthusiasm and energy toward whatever God has next for me in my professional life. I’d be lying if I were to say this hasn’t been of great concern, but it has taken a back seat to the needs of Maggie and Wyatt.
A person I’m very fond of said in a time of great sadness (and I’m paraphrasing) “we are using this as an opportunity to show our faith – to show the people who watch us just who the God we serve really is”. I’m not going to the ‘holier than thou’ card here…I’m saying today that I know God will use our circumstances to support and help others and will deliver us from this time of trials and frustrations…His plan is so much greater than anything I can imagine.
Suffice it to say, I’m very thankful for too many things to list here, but the most important of those are my God, my family, and my friends…and this first one on that list will take care of everything else.
Many people have asked how to help – my answer generally is to pray and/or visit or email Maggie. I’d like to add to that list and just ask people to do something to lift up someone close to them who may be struggling. It doesn’t have to be anything huge – in fact maybe it’s just a text message but think how much happier and hope-filled you could make someone’s Thanksgiving this year.
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