Actively Observing!
Last Sunday
afternoon found Al and me sitting in lawn chairs on the edge of a soccer field
rooting for our youngest grandchild, Elliot, and his team. It wasn’t our
original destination though. While we were on our way, a text message came on
the cell phone. It was our daughter; however, I was so busy watching the GPS
that I missed it.
When we didn’t
answer the text right away, she decided to call. She and Elliot had already
arrived. However there had been a mix-up. The team was informed that it was at
the wrong place and would have to backtrack south several miles to another park
with playing fields!
It was amazing that she caught us at a spot not
far from the new location. With directions from the trusty GPS, we arrived
about the same time as Shanda and Elliot. He ran ahead to join the game just as
it was beginning, while we walked with Shanda out to the field toting our
chairs.
Shanda had also
contacted her step-son Kevin and his girlfriend, who were on their way to the
game. What would we have done in the days before cell phones and GPS systems? It
wasn’t long before Elliot had five fans cheering him on, the three of us in
chairs, joined by Kevin and Anna stretched out on a blanket, picnic style.
The opportunity to
support young athletes, have good conversations and nice family time combined
together to create an enjoyable and relaxing Sunday afternoon.
Normally I would have a hard time sitting
still for an hour without something to do. In fact, my basket of letters to
answer and cards to send was in the car…just in case.
But without it, I was able to concentrate on
the game and interact with Al and the family too. The two teams were closely
matched, with the game ending in a tie, 2-2.
Al and I have
settled into the role of observers…not only at soccer games, but also at tennis
practices and matches, concerts, plays and all kinds of activities, including
those held online during the pandemic. Because we were living in California
when Kevin was the same age, we missed his soccer games and most of his high
school band performances. It has been special reconnecting with him during
those times he is home from Michigan State. And of course, we love every
opportunity we have to be together with Shanda, her husband and their family.
This is a new role
for us—participating in the activities of our family as observers and fans,
giving our support and cheering them on! Being observers feels strange after
having been occupied with jobs and our own interests for so many years. Social
interactions were mainly with friends from church and the community where we
lived. Al and I only occasionally visited our families in Bakersfield,
California and in Michigan.
Although I was
never able to have children of my own, God is blessing me abundantly in my
senior years. Looking back over my life, I agree wholeheartedly with the
psalmist that there is much for which to praise the Lord.
Not only did He
place me in a loving family with fantastic parents, He also provided a
wonderful husband at the perfect time in my life, knew the disappointment I experienced
when I was unable to have children of my own and then through Al provided
Shanda and her family to satisfy the longing of my heart for children.
Our God is a big
God…stooping down to look not just upon the earth but also upon the heavens!
Yet, He sees each of us individually, knows the aches and longings of our
hearts and has compassion on us.
Through Jesus, He
has provided the way for me to be saved and to dwell with Him forever. My heart
is overflowing! Praise the Lord!
* Psalm 113:5-9
(In the picture above, Elliot is dressed in the dark blue uniform & is running for the invisible ball! "Go Elliot!")
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