"Viewing the Game"

I went with my son to Turner Field to watch the Atlanta Braves play the Boston Red Sox. It was a beautiful evening for baseball with a near capacity crowd. It was the Sunday Night ESPN game with a national audience tuning in. The stage was set for a great pitching match up between John Smoltz of the Braves and Curt Shilling of the Red Sox. I was amazed at how many Red Sox fans made it out for the game. While I love to watch the Braves on TV, there is just something about "being there."

It was a great game that evening and the crowd really got into the game. There is just something about going to a night game where the graphics, diamond vision, and all the lights put together a beautiful scene. You can see just about anything you want to see at a Braves game. What a diverse group of people coming together to enjoy a good ballgame.

It was not until the 6th inning that my son (Paul) and I realized something that was happening right in front of us. A couple sat in front of us and the gentleman was faithfully listening to the game on his radio. That's not unusual and I frequently take my radio to pick up on commentary of the game by the Braves announcers. We came to realize that this man was blind. He could not see the players, the bright lights, the faces of people around him, or anything else. My son and I were touched by this experience. This man was not letting obstacle and hurdles in his life keep him from doing what he wanted to do. He experienced the game as he heard the crowd and this for him was a night to remember.

From the 6th inning on, we viewed the game in a different way. My thanks to this blind man who taught many of us something about how to view the game.

"Opening Day"

There is just something special about "Opening Day" at Turner Field as the Atlanta Braves begin a new season. For many years, I made it a point to attend the Opening Day game. There is just something unique about the experience. There is the newness of the moment and a spirit of expectancy in the air. "Opening Day" is almost a tradition with many people. It is just one of those special moments that many people enjoy attending.

I saw a Marta Bus in Atlanta just the other day and it had these words written across the body of the bus: "In Atlanta, everyday is Opening Day." I thought about those words for a few minutes. I understand the thrust of the message. Somehow, it is trying to create a spirit of expectancy and anticipation for the city of Atlanta. It is trying to convey the idea that everyday is special and full of new possibilities. Those words, "everyday is Opening Day", makes the suggestion that something new is happening everyday. It is very clear at least to me that "everyday is not Opening Day!" Much of life is spent in ordinary time and place. Birthdays do not come everyday (thank goodness), but once a year we celebrate a special day. Anniversaries do not come everyday, but once a year we pause to celebrate a special day. If "Opening Day" came everyday, it would lose it's excitement and it would no longer hold that special place of anticipation.

Special things can happen even during the saga of ordinary time. It's not "Opening Day" and while there may not be any fireworks, it can be special. By enjoying ordinary days, we can enjoy the "Opening Days" of our lives even more.

"Dog Wash or Car Wash"

My daughter and I were riding down a road near our house when she observed the most interesting thing. As we looked over at a self-serve car wash, there were people washing and shining their cars on this bright and beautiful day. My daughter pointed out something that I had never seen before. I had driven past this car wash many, many times, but I had not noticed everything they had to offer. Right next to the car wash was a "Dog Wash." I had never seen anything like this before. What an amazing concept! Here is a one stop shop where you can clean either car or dog.

We have a little Yorkshire Terrier dog at our place and I was very interested in this place. A week or so later, I stopped by to take a closer look. There is a table where you can place the dog and hose to clean the dog. You place $5.00 in the meter and you have numerous options. First you can sanitize the table with a special spray and then you can wash your dog. There are numerous settings: Wash, rinse, dry, flea & tick bath, or de-skunk. I haven't taken my dog there yet, but what an amazing concept.

There are so many neat and helpful things right in front of us. If we are not careful, we will get busy and miss some of the things that can make our lives just a little easier. I'm not sure whether I will use the "Dog Wash" or not, but I am reminded to watch for new and creative things around me.

As we start a new week or begin a new transition, we can be open to wonderful things around us. Our God has made a beautiful world - let's enjoy it this week!