This past weekend it happened that, on the eve of their first home playoff game, our Arizona Cardinals would not play in front of a sellout crowd.  "Fans", forsaking any semblance of HOPE proclaimed the myriad of reasons why they wouldn't purchase tickets.  Forty-eight hours in advance of kick-off, ticket sales were insufficient for the NFL to lift the broadcast blackout on 'non-sellout' home games.  This was in stark contrast to the regular season where all games were sellouts.  Here we were - in the playoffs - and yet - the blackout loomed.


Now I could go on and on about this - but my purpose here is to focus on one aspect of this story:  RELATIONSHIPS


Since my nephew Chad was a baby - we have been 'sports buddies'.  I would hold his little arms in the air and yell "TOUCHDOWN!"  We have watched sports, talked sports, been to sporting events nearly his entire life.  So when I heard that the football game was not going to be broadcast because of slow ticket sales  I realized we had a rare opportunity.  Somehow - Chad and I needed to be at that game.


On Friday, we managed to get some pretty good seats in a handicapped accessible section.  A quick trip to WalMart and we had our Cardinal colors to wear.  Saturday we left ridiculously early to make sure we could park and be there for all the pre-game hoopla.  Chad spotted a W/C parking spot near the shopping center north of the stadium and we grabbed it.  I was concerned about the distance to the stadium but he felt it was no problem.  Indeed it was no problem for me - but he was the one that would have to push the wheelchair.


Now - most of you know that I am perfectly capable of walking.  I do however use the wheelchair for distances - plus it is way more comfortable to sit in the chair than stadium seats.  You know what I mean :)


We meandered through the tailgaters, watched the pre-game festivities on the 'Great Lawn' and purchased some additional Cardinal gear.  Finally the stadium gates open and we head in with the excited crowd.  We find our seats and ooh and aahh at good they are.  Chad is 15 - so the next step is a trip to the food stand to stock up on nachos, hot dogs, and sodas.  The binoculars are out and we are ready.  The game is now only 90 minutes away.


In those 90 minutes and during the rest of the game and the ride home afterwards we shared some great conversation.  Recalling our first (and only other Cardinal game) I was shocked at how much of that experience Chad remembered.  - after all - he was only 9 years old.  We talked about the many times we spent at Baseball games, the time in California we drove from LA to San Diego just to see a Suns/Lakers preseason game, and the time a member of the Coyotes gave us his tickets to a game.  Memories flooded the car and warmed this old aunt's heart.

Aunt Paula and one of God's great blessings - Chad

As we got closer to his hose Chad said, "I love going to these games with you - but I also love coming to your house and watching them on your TV together." O.K. - that may be because I have an HDTV - but the common denominator of the all the experiences is that we spent time TOGETHER!


Time spent together - shared activities - laughing - crying - joy - sadness - anger - reconciliations - playing - doing nothing much - this list goes on...  This is the stuff of which memories are made.  Memories that form the glue which binds us together in relationship one with another.  It is therefore our memories that make our relationships. 


Want stronger relationships with the people in your life? I would propose that you find a way to make a memory.  No need to make it complex - no need to spend a dime - just give of yourself and your time. 


Want a stronger relationship with Jesus?  First recognize that He stands there ALL THE TIME ready to deepen His relationship with you.  Then do the same as above - give of yourself and your time.  Make a memory of time dedicated to the relationship. 


Try it - let me know how it goes...  Till then...


Paula


Still - Gimpy by Grace ... and ... Well in the Lord

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Colleen Murray   |134.114.187.xxx |2009-01-20 01:16:36 You are beautiful.. Thank you for touching my life and so many around me. -Colleen Reply | Quote 0   0

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