Get in the Game

The holidays hit. Actually, they exploded! The decorations, the excitement, the planning, the celebrations, the shopping and the busyness were everything that I had hoped for and more. My favorite thing about the break was quality time with friends and family! It was like a whirlwind swept me up.

I miraculously ended up in the wonderful world of OZ! I was skipping down the yellow brick road of vacation. I must have lost my red shoes because it took me quite some time to find my way home!

As I began to settle into a new year, I realized a few things. God did some amazing things in 2008. There were some moments that took my breath away. Others were not so glorious. Ultimately, when I reflected where my life started at the beginning of last year and where I am now, I couldn’t help but think, WOW! It would be unrealistic to share it all. I imagine it would be like putting a puzzle together without any corner pieces. Don't worry you are off the hook; rather than attempt that, I am going to share my hopes for the future!

I read once, "I am not who I was. And I am not who I will be." (ID: The True You). Life is a process. That book helped me understand that every moment, every thought, every word, every event and every action molds us into who we are going to become. You’ve probably heard this before; it’s not really a new concept. It is one of those ideas that you hear repeatedly yet do not fully understand what it means until you recognize how it relates to your life. I call it an “aww-hah” moment.

I play the what if game, often. What if my dad was still around? What if I pursed dancing? What if I had gone away to college? What if I had become a computer programmer? What if I didn’t have to baby sit so much? What if I stayed in that relationship? What if I didn’t take this job? What if I didn’t eat that whole bag of peanut butter m&m’s? There was so much of my life that I wished I could change.

That is not my desire in 2009. I am learning to appreciate that my past and my present affect me daily but it is God that determines who I am and who I will be. So, now what?

My favorite part about watching a basketball game is halftime. Right now, your thinking, typical girl, she likes the cheerleaders. Well, I do but the real reason that I love halftime is because of the winded interviews. This starts the process of  deciding what to do next. Weather the team is tied, winning or losing, as the players and the coaches’ head to locker room, they are taking in the final moments of the first half. They are strategizing about the next half. When stopped for questions, the players are barely able to spurt out an answer and it becomes clear that they are focused on one thing, The Game.

The next few minutes in the locker room are crucial. The coach reflects on the team strengths and weaknesses. Next he recognizes the other teams strengths and weaknesses. They review what they practiced before game. Then it happens, the coach comes up with a plan, a play that will shock the other team. He lays it out on the board. In an encouraging, confident voice he pulls the team together, and explains that this is their moment, this is their time to “Get in the Game”.

Here is my first “aww-hah” moment of the New Year! I want to take advantage of every opportunity that God gives me to become who He wants me to be this year. I hope to enjoy the yellow brick road of '09. I want to use my past experiences to grow in the present. No more playing the “what if” game. It is time to accept that everything that has happened and is happening will mold and strengthen me.

In short, I want to be focused and strategic. When interviewed at halftime, I want to shout breathlessly, that I am going to “Get in Game”. I want to be mentally, physically, relationally and spiritually prepared for whatever God brings this year. Over the next few weeks, I am going to be laying it out on the board. I am going to look for new ideas, learn new plays and practice. Most importantly, I am looking forward to strategizing with the team.