Reflections from the Home Team October 10, 2015

 

“The man who is at the peak and the one who just failed are exactly in the same position. Each must decide what they will do next”.

 

Greetings from Cedar Falls,

I wanted to take a moment to update you since my last Reflection in May. I just had my regular check up in Iowa City this past week. Things are looking positive with regard to my counts and I’ve developed a routine of sorts to deal with the side effects of treatments.  There are ups and downs, but I’m happy to report, mostly ups!  I want to offer a special thanks to my doctors and medical support team for the time and efforts they have given to assist me in dealing with the occasional setbacks one deals with as a cancer survivor.

That brings me to this reflection.  As I watched the beginning of this year’s MLB playoffs, I couldn’t help but think of the storied histories of the Pittsburg Pirates and the Chicago Cubs, both of whom have had their share of frustrations and setbacks in seasons past. These clubs have had the desire to win and become playoff contenders at the start of every season, but have encountered obstacles along the way which have often been difficult to overcome. Things such as injuries, surgeries, age, youth… all of which have contributed as setbacks along the way.  I see many parallels in the journeys of cancer survivors, but something very important to remember is that there is an upside to setbacks…

Setbacks can help fuel new dreams in each of our lives and provide great life lessons for each of us. The struggles we face can help motivate us to reach new heights in our lives.  I have to admit, it’s not always easy to adopt this mindset when faced with the “curveballs” life tosses our way, but by adopting it, we can deepen our relationships with others and most importantly, with God. They also provide the opening to learn some lessons that success cannot teach by developing in us the kind of patience that waits on God, and in turn, trust Him for the strength to endure. As James 1:2-3 points out; "Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance".

I have several close friends and colleagues who are experiencing difficult trials and setbacks at this time with family and friends and I know they are being tested just as I know many of us are being tested. Prayers your way, knowing that He will provide the patience and strength to endure those trials.

Just as Pirate and Cub fans were reaching out, hoping that the battle they faced against each other in the one game playoff would go their way, we need to remember that both clubs had overcome setbacks along the way to reach the goal of being a PLAYOFF CONTENDER. Both clubs ENDURED and PERSEVERED!  As cancer survivors, and in fact as anyone who works to overcome the challenges of life’s struggles, we need to become “LIFE CONTENDERS” by enduring and persevering.  

For those of you who are Cub fans, congratulations on your 4-0 win and may the success continue.  For those of you who are Pirate fans, congratulations on a great season! For both clubs, and for each of us, please remember a quote that was shared with me recently… “The man who is at the peak and the one who just failed are exactly in the same position. Each must decide what they will do next”. May we each decide to endure and persevere to reach new heights in our lives despite what trials and setbacks life may toss our way!

Yours in life’s battles,

Dave

Link to: Reflections from the Home Team BLOG
http://reflectionsfromthehometeam.blogspot.com/

Link to Vimeo: Reflections from the "Home Team"... Go the Distance
http://vimeo.com/53873087

 

Link to: Tommy Emmanuel and "Angelina"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhR04kmcSXU

Reflections from the Home Team May 16, 2015

"To be successful, you have to fix your eyes and focus on the ball, blocking out 
all those things that may be whirling around in your mind competing for your 
focus and attention.”

Greetings from Cedar Falls,

I wanted to take a moment to update you as it’s been a while since I’ve shared a Reflection. Some have asked how I am doing as I haven’t shared a Reflection since January. In short, I had a visit to Iowa City in late April and will be heading down again next week for some follow up visits. Good news is that the “visiting team” has not returned for extra innings, and I continue working through those pesky side effects.  As I shared in my last Reflection in January, some cardiac issues were corrected with the implant of a pacemaker in July and I’m very thankful for the medical support I have received and the fact the pacemaker has allowed me to resume my normal pace and activities.

That brings me to this particular reflection… 

As we all face a number of issues each and every day that seem to demand our attention, I wanted to “focus” on what has helped me get through some difficult days in the past month. The month has included some thoughts on dealing with the pace that life tends to throw our way on a regular basis, some of those “pesky” side effect issues from the cancer treatments, as well as the heartache that comes our way with the passing of those who may be close to us.  Honestly, life this past month has been a blur and it has been hard to sometimes keep a balance and focus on the things that need my attention.

My mind raced with thoughts on how to deal with these issues and caused some restlessness over the past month. I kept coming back to some advice my College baseball coach gave me about focus… I recall him saying; “To be successful, you have to fix your eyes and focus on the ball, blocking out all those things that may be whirling around in your mind competing for your focus and attention.”  That was good advice as it paid dividends on the diamond.  I kept coming back to that thought this past month as I dealt with some of the concerns I had mentioned earlier.


My dad was having a difficult time battling Parkinson's the past few months and it was difficult to see him fight the disease with the grit and determination he had modeled his whole life for me.  He developed pneumonia on April 24^th, and went home to be with his loving Father on Sunday, April 26^th. As I dealt with all those issues that go through a person’s mind when faced with losing a loved one, I read from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling devotional Friday morning, and it immediately brought me peace…

April 25 devotion from Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling"

“MAKE ME YOUR FOCAL POINT as you move through this day. Just as a spinning ballerina must keep her eyes on a given point to maintain her balance, so you must keep returning your focus to Me. Circumstances are in flux, and the world seems to be whirling around you. The only way to keep your balance is to fix your eyes on Me, the One who never changes. If you gaze too long at your circumstances, you will become dizzy and confused. Look to me, refreshing yourself in My Presence, and your steps will be steady and sure. (Hebrews 12: 2; Psalm 102: 27)”

Just as my coach had shared that to be successful on the diamond, you have to fix your eyes and focus on the ball, I once again realized that the “ball” in our daily lives is Jesus, and that our focus needs to be on Him each and every day. He will refresh us daily and help keep us on balance when we can so often get dizzy and confused with the “whirlwind” of things that come our way. 

Dad taught me many things as I grew… At times, he had what some would consider a “tough” exterior, but we always knew there was a large, warm and caring heart inside… (just didn’t want to mess up to see that exterior side of him)! He often had a sense of humor when dealing with difficult situations, yet faced them head on without complaining. He rarely talked about his service to our Country until his later years, just as so many of his generation did. He taught us all to be fighters, to work hard and to stick up for what we believe is right. His final hours demonstrated that, and his spirit for life and living will live on with us all forever…

Robert Welter’s Obituary:

http://wcfcourier.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/robert-m-welter/article_e81705fa-396c-521e-8e56-f3b8b73429e0.html

A good friend shared a verse that was especially comforting as we spent our final hours together with dad as a family…

God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be.

So he put His arms around you and whispered ‘Come to Me’.

Those words truly brought comfort to me, and I’m sure they would as well to those who are facing diseases such as Parkinson’s and cancer. May we each get “focused” on what is truly important each day, blocking out all those things that may be whirling around in our minds and are competing for our focus and attention. As we encounter problems which seem to have no immediate solution, our responses can either take us up or down. We can lash out at the difficulty, resenting it and feeling sorry for ourselves which will take us down into a pit of self-pity. Or, we can use it as a chance to see it from a higher perspective, being that the obstacle frustrating you is only a “light and momentary trouble”.  Once our perspective is heightened, our “focus” can be taken away from the problem altogether and placed back on Jesus to be refreshed in His daily presence.  

Hebrews 12:2 “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Blessings to each of you and your families!

Dave

Link to: Reflections from the Home Team BLOG
http://reflectionsfromthehometeam.blogspot.com/

Link to Vimeo: Reflections from the "Home Team"... Go the Distance
http://vimeo.com/53873087

Link to: Tommy Emmanuel and "Angelina"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhR04kmcSXU