Reflections from the Home Team – April 30, 2018

“BE READY BECAUSE YOU MAY BE THE DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE’S LIFE AT ANY MOMENT OF THE DAY!”

Greetings from Cedar Falls,

Sometimes we all need an inspirational boost to remember the love and passion that ultimately motivate us all.  One of the best ways to remind each other of the value of what we do is through the telling of stories; inspiring stories…

As a teacher, coach and administrator, my motto has always been… “Be ready because you may be the difference in someone’s life at any moment of the day.” Just as I have always tried my best to serve my student’s, my athletes and their families by being ready, I’ve recently had several opportunities to share some of the stories from my journey which illustrate how the relationships we build, can also help us when we face our own difficult challenges in life.

Since I was diagnosed with stage 3-throat cancer back in 2009, I have been journaling about my cancer journey and sharing it with many who have been such a supportive part of my Home Team. It has not always been an easy journey, but what I want to share with you is that the journey was made more bearable with the love and support that my “Home Team”, both human and divine, has provided me along the way.

If there is one thing I’ve learned on my cancer journey, it’s that sometimes we tend to want to deal with life’s challenges on our own instead of staying in touch with those whom we love. What I’ve found interesting along the way is that comfort and support can come from complete strangers as well as from those close to us.

Our lives are full of interruptions…traffic, a sick child, a long line, a needy neighbor, a complaining customer, a co-worker in crisis, illness and even death. These all look, sound and feel like interruptions. However, each of us has the ability to look beyond life’s interruptions and instead see illustrations of God’s love as well as the love of others in our lives.

Interruptions can be appointments for compassion as life at times may feel unfair, but in our everyday routines, we need to recognize that interruptions represent people to love and also create opportunities for us to be loved! We each need to allow those interruptions to slow us down a bit, so we can better focus on receiving and giving love from both God as well as others in our lives.

As I visit with others who are struggling with challenges and difficulties in their own life’s journey, my hope is that their life can be filled with a “loving presence” as they navigate the challenges each day presents in their lives. Everyone needs prayer and encouragement—either to celebrate God’s goodness or to seek God’s grace. It certainly isn’t wise for us to walk up to strangers and demand that they open up to us, but we certainly can be aware that each person most likely has some unexpressed yearnings. It is comforting to know we never have to handle things alone, and that if we choose, we each can each develop a “Home Team” of our own to help encourage us through those times when we or someone we love is struggling.

Given that thought, I’d once again ask each of you to consider being an encourager… So often the difference between success and failure is belief, and so often someone who encouraged us instills that belief in us… Be An Encourager!  Be that person who decides to uplift someone who is feeling down or who may be struggling with a health challenge. Share encouragement because it matters and we all need it!

As the image on this reflection shares, “When life throws you a curveball, be patient because the ‘perfect pitch’ is coming.” As we deal with the frustrations in explaining how we feel about the challenges our life journey can present us, John 13:7 provides me some guidance… “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” As we learn to live in this world, He is with us. As we walk down dark paths, He is with us. As we face grief, disappointments, addictions, illnesses, and the unfairness of life, He is with us… for eternity. He is the best teammate anyone could ever ask for and that ‘perfect pitch’ awaits us all, as the Lord is good to those who wait for Him.

I’ve provided a link below to a message I recently shared which talks about the importance of the “stories and loving presences” that I have been so fortunate to experience on my life’s journey up to this point. By sharing this message, my hope is that each of you will feel comfortable in sharing your stories with others to help provide them the strength, love and support needed to meet their life challenges, whatever they may be…

How Stories and a Loving Presence can Impact our Lives…           

                       https://vimeo.com/266319344

Blessings your way,

Dave

Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey? If so, Reflections from the Home Team... Go the Distance was written to offer strength, hope and comfort when confronted with a cancer journey's challenges. Share a message of positivity with those you care about. Learn more at this link:

www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/