April 4th, 2020

Good day to all
Yesterday I had a set back in my recovery and had to go in to the emergency center for a short visit. As I sat in bed I had time to think over the manner in which my perspectives have been turned on their side.  I want to proceed carefully because I don't wish to open this up to a session of "mea culpa, mea culpa". However, I must confess that there were some things in my life that I took for granted that I now look at through a whole new life lens. 

My church family knows my love for baseball; that we buy season ticket packets for Rainer games; and the fact that during baseball season when we had tickets for a 1:30 game on Sunday, as politely as I could, I would make a beeline for my office after church to change into my game clothes so we could head over to Cheney Stadium.  I have also been a fan of the Mariners and have commented that I would like management to consult me before making some strategy decisions but those complaints went unheeded. 

Anyone who has set foot in my office has seen my shrine to the Duke (John Wayne to the uniformed) so it is safe to say that I was also a strong fan of some movie actors.  

Where am I going with this? The words of Isaiah 55:8-9 state [For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."]  When our sons were growing up, from time to time  I had the opportunity to ask the question "What did we learn from this?" The reasons for the question varied but it always provided an opportunity to shape values.

As I pondered the words in Isaiah, where my focus was as a fan, and my question to my sons; I asked myself  the question "what have I learned ?" in regards to what is happening around us.

A fan is a person who has an overwhelming enthusiasm for a team or an individual.  I realized that as a fan, I have new people I look up to.  I look up to all those in the medical field who put their health on the line to provide care. I am a fan of the grocery clerk who faces a never ending line of potential infectious people so that I can purchase my groceries. I am a fan of the truckers who bring the food and the stock clerks who are working long hours to restock empty shelves. I am a fan of those who are working in the food industry to allow me the treat of a takeout meal and of the delivery guys who have brought that food to our door. 

What have I learned? I learned that heros and those who deserve a fan base walk among us each day.  My thoughts may not be anywhere close to God's thoughts but there are times when His lessons come through loud and clear.

Have a blessed day, Vic