David Welter's Blog, page 20

Reflections from the Home Team – April 30, 2018 ...

Reflections from the Home Team – April 30, 2018


“BE READY BECAUSE YOU MAY BE THE DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE’S LIFE AT ANY MOMENT OF THE DAY!”
Greetings from Cedar Falls,

Sometimes we all need an inspirational boost to remember the love and passion that ultimately motivate us all.  One of the best ways to remind each other of the value of what we do is through the telling of stories; inspiring stories…
As a teacher, coach and administrator, my motto has always been… “Be ready because you may be the difference in someone’s life at any moment of the day.” Just as I have always tried my best to serve my student’s, my athletes and their families by being ready, I’ve recently had several opportunities to share some of the stories from my journey which illustrate how the relationships we build, can also help us when we face our own difficult challenges in life.
Since I was diagnosed with stage 3-throat cancer back in 2009, I have been journaling about my cancer journey and sharing it with many who have been such a supportive part of my Home Team. It has not always been an easy journey, but what I want to share with you is that the journey was made more bearable with the love and support that my “Home Team”, both human and divine, has provided me along the way.
If there is one thing I’ve learned on my cancer journey, it’s that sometimes we tend to want to deal with life’s challenges on our own instead of staying in touch with those whom we love. What I’ve found interesting along the way is that comfort and support can come from complete strangers as well as from those close to us.
Our lives are full of interruptions…traffic, a sick child, a long line, a needy neighbor, a complaining customer, a co-worker in crisis, illness and even death. These all look, sound and feel like interruptions. However, each of us has the ability to look beyond life’s interruptions and instead see illustrations of God’s love as well as the love of others in our lives.
Interruptions can be appointments for compassion as life at times may feel unfair, but in our everyday routines, we need to recognize that interruptions represent people to love and also create opportunities for us to be loved! We each need to allow those interruptions to slow us down a bit, so we can better focus on receiving and giving love from both God as well as others in our lives.
As I visit with others who are struggling with challenges and difficulties in their own life’s journey, my hope is that their life can be filled with a “loving presence” as they navigate the challenges each day presents in their lives. Everyone needs prayer and encouragement—either to celebrate God’s goodness or to seek God’s grace. It certainly isn’t wise for us to walk up to strangers and demand that they open up to us, but we certainly can be aware that each person most likely has some unexpressed yearnings. It is comforting to know we never have to handle things alone, and that if we choose, we each can each develop a “Home Team”of our own to help encourage us through those times when we or someone we love is struggling.
Given that thought, I’d once again ask each of you to consider being an encourager… So often the difference between success and failure is belief, and so often someone who encouraged us instills that belief in us… Be An Encourager!  Be that person who decides to uplift someone who is feeling down or who may be struggling with a health challenge. Share encouragement because it matters and we all need it!
As the image on this reflection shares, “When life throws you a curveball, be patient because the ‘perfect pitch’ is coming.” As we deal with the frustrations in explaining how we feel about the challenges our life journey can present us, John 13:7 provides me some guidance… “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” As we learn to live in this world, He is with us. As we walk down dark paths, He is with us. As we face grief, disappointments, addictions, illnesses, and the unfairness of life, He is with us… for eternity. He is the best teammate anyone could ever ask for and that ‘perfect pitch’ awaits us all, as the Lord is good to those who wait for Him.
I’ve provided a link below to a message I recently shared which talks about the importance of the “stories and loving presences” that I have been so fortunate to experience on my life’s journey up to this point. By sharing this message, my hope is that each of you will feel comfortable in sharing your stories with others to help provide them the strength, love and support needed to meet their life challenges, whatever they may be…
How Stories and a Loving Presence can Impact our Lives…           
                        https://vimeo.com/266319344
Blessings your way,
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey? If so, Reflections from the Home Team... Go the Distance was written to offer strength, hope and comfort when confronted with a cancer journey's challenges. Share a message of positivity with those you care about. Learn more at this link:

www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/

Reflections from the Home Team, April 9, 2018 ...

Reflections from the Home Team, April 9, 2018



“As I think about the physical work, mental preparation, and ‘performance anxiety’ that accompanies spring training, I can’t help but take pause and reflect on how many similarities there are between the work involved in getting ready for a baseball season and the work involved in preparing your self for the ups and downs of a cancer journey.”
Greetings from Cedar Falls,

As it appears spring has had a hard time finding us this year, Major League baseball teams have reported back north to begin their baseball seasons following weeks of preparation in spring training drills, conditioning and game situations. The season will be a six-month marathon filled with 162 games as they try to earn the right to play a seventh month. If a team never played extra innings that’s 1,458 innings of baseball! (What could be better??) The season will include many ups and downs as well as a few aches and pains along the way. The preparation and work put in prior to the season will pay dividends as the players enjoy the game of baseball while also facing the “daily grind” of a long season.
As I think about the physical work, mental preparation, and “performance anxiety” that accompanies spring training, I can’t help but take pause and reflect on how many similarities there are between the work involved in getting ready for a baseball season and the work involved in preparing your self for the ups and downs of a cancer journey…
For many years, I was able to tell people that God had blessed me with good health, and then, in 2009, I was diagnosed with cancer. Having experienced only minor illnesses in my life up to that point, (despite a couple of knocks in the head with a baseball), cancer was quite a shock.  All during my cancer treatments, many of my family and friends, (my “Home Team”) prayed for me. I experienced some anxious moments, but I was always aware that those who loved and cared about me were praying for me and asking God to support me. I began to realize that I still had the greatest blessing of all—God’s unconditional love shown through the support of loved ones and friends.
As part of this reflection, I’m asking for some prayers from my “Home Team” for a young man I have become acquainted with in Texas through one of my former players who has been coaching him. His name is Trevor, he is 16 years old and he is battling bone cancer. He is in the midst of treatments and is going through some difficult times.  If you are on Facebook, you can find him at TStrong. Just as I was blessed with the love of God and my “Home Team” during my treatments, I am asking for your prayers for Trevor so that he may also realize, just as I have, that God has blessed him with love greater than any struggle he may face!
As I’ve visited with many folks who either are facing a cancer diagnosis themselves or with a loved one, the question that so often pops up is “What do I do now that I’ve been diagnosed??”  I’ve been asked that question several times in the past few weeks alone as I interact in some of my unscripted conversations with others. I can recall the shock and numbness I experienced when I came home from University of Iowa Hospitals with my diagnosis… It was life changing! And that brings me to this reflection.
As I “replay” the multitude of emotions I experienced during the first few months following my diagnosis, I generally place them into four categories; Attitude, Anxiety, Trust and Controlling the controllable.
Attitude… Just as success in baseball so often depends on having a positive attitude, the importance of having a grateful and positive attitude, no matter what our circumstance, needs to carry over into our daily lives. Many negative thoughts often creep into our minds when we are challenged.  In baseball, it may be “If I don’t start getting some hits they’re going to send me down”, or “If we don’t start winning some games I’m going to get fired.” In a cancer journey, it may be “What if my lab results are negative”, or “The pain and misery of treatments are beginning to seem unbearable”. As Thomas Jefferson stated; “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” Even when the challenges of a cancer journey stand in our way, we need to do our best to turn a negative into a positive.  The following thought has been very helpful for me on my journey… “By remembering that each day is a new beginning, we can either waste it or use it for good. What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something I have traded for it. I want it to be a gain, not a loss, good, not evil; success, not failure.” As we face life’s challenges, don’t allow those challenges to dictate your emotions. Be positive and proactive, not negative and reactive as you move forward. The Apostle Paul provided us with instructions for dealing with life’s difficulties in Romans 12:12… “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.”  That has been a good formula for me. Anxiety…
Thoughts like the ones above often enter our minds at some point during the day and when they do we feel the anxiety that comes with them. And that anxiety makes it even harder for us to have success.

What gives us the best chance at success is focusing completely on the task that is currently in front of us and doing it the best we can. When we do that, then we don’t have time for worrying. Our minds are so focused on what we’re doing that our anxious thoughts get crowded out. As one of my favorite baseball coaches drilled into my head, “To be successful, you have to fix your eyes and focus on the ball, blocking out all those things that may be whirling around in your mind competing for your focus and attention.”

When feeling anxious, take a deep breath and ask yourself, “What action can I take in this moment that will help me?” By living in the present you can focus on that action with everything that you have! As Will Rogers shared; “We can’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” My most important take away is that the past can't be changed, and that we have God's help in the present as well as His hope for the future. I need to remind myself to try and relax... trusting in His control over my life while remembering He is always close providing abundant joy with His presence in our lives.As Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:34; “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Trust … Like most people, I have failed more times than I care to remember. I’ve struck out playing baseball; I’ve made mistakes as a teacher, coach and administrator. Yet, when I look back, I realize that every failure has moved me forward. Every failure taught me a lesson and made me stronger, wiser and better. I’ve realized that sometimes we have to fail to move forward.Through each challenge and failure we may experience, we must stay hopeful and know that failure can lead us to a better future if we have an attitude of faith, are open to the possibilities and TRUST that new opportunities may be coming our way. I have placed trust in those around me to help me learn and grow from my experiences. By placing my trust in family, my friends, my medical team and most importantly, God, it has helped me to look at failure not as a dead end but rather as a temporary detour to a better outcome.And what hits me is this… Jesus never called us to focus on what's wrong with everything; he called us to remember God is in control - of everything. By trusting in Him, that will bring us peace. When you have difficult moments that may cause pain and suffering, take the time to bring them to God and ask for His guidance.  Don’t beat yourself up wondering “why me.”  Remember, as Psalm 46:1 teaches us; “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.” God’s purpose for us is not to grant our every wish, making life easy and pain free, but rather to learn to trust Him in all circumstances.
Controlling the controllable… We don’t get to choose what happens to us in life. As much as we’d like to think we have a great deal of control over the events that happen to us, the fact is that we do not. What is always within our control, however, is what meaning we give those events.
We need to remember that we don’t control what happens to us in life, but we do get to decide how we’re going to react. If we’re sent to the Minors, or cut from a team, or when we get diagnosed with a serious health condition like cancer, we can choose to focus on the unfairness of it and be a victim or we can live in the present, taking one day at a time while revolving our thoughts around hope and guaranteeing ourselves that nowhere in our story will it ever read “I gave up!” Events don’t define us. How we choose to react and the meaning we give them does.
Only God can take the broken pieces of our life and make something beautiful out of each one. He is waiting for us to let go of our pain and trust Him, knowing that He is in control. And we really can trust Him. I have to remind myself of that when my thoughts wander and when my aches and pains trigger those thoughts. No one loves us like He does. I may not always understand or even like His process, but I can always trust in His heart of love for me.  God’s promise to us in 1 Corinthians 13:8.13 speaks clearly about His love for us; “Love never fails. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.” No matter what lies ahead, God is faithful. No matter how difficult the trial may be, God is with us and will deliver us in it or from it.
By receiving God’s healing, loving and guiding presence during times of weakness and wounding in our lives, and in turn revealing them to others, we can help comfort and strengthen those who may be experiencing the same struggles. God’s strength comes into it’s own in our weaknesses.  The two fit perfectly together.
Thanks for keeping Trevor in your prayers, and thanks for being such a special and supportive part of my Home Team!
In Christ’s love and comfort,           Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey? If so, Reflections from the Home Team... Go the Distance was written to offer strength, hope and comfort when confronted with a cancer journey's challenges. Share a message of positivity with those you care about. Learn more at this link:
www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/

Reflections from the Home Team, March 25, 2018 ...

 Reflections from the Home Team, March 25, 2018

“It’s important to be aware when unfair circumstances of others make us uncomfortable, I believe that’s the seed of Jesus’s compassionate heart nudging us to do something about it…”
Greetings from Cedar Falls,

Well, I guess spring is right around the corner and I’m thinking sunshine and warm temps as I finish cleaning up the 12 inches of heavy, wet snow we received this past weekend. One thing about spring in Iowa is that we tend to get a sampling of nearly every type of weather...  Keeps us hardy and balanced!
I wanted to share a few thoughts today that have been on my mind as I’ve had the opportunity to visit with a number of folks over the past few weeks who have been struggling. As I visited in those unscripted conversations, my mind focused on learning to be joyful when things don’t go as I might like. It reminded me to pause and not begin my day determined to make everything go my way. 
Each day we will all most likely bump up against something that just doesn’t “yield to our will”. It could be as trivial as looking at our reflection in the mirror in the morning (sometimes scary for me) or as serious as a serious health concern (I can relate). If we are intent upon having our way in everything, we most assuredly will be frustrated much of the time. We shouldn’t waste our energy regretting things that have happened. My most important take away is that the past can’t be changed, and that we have God’s help in the present as well as His hope for the future.
One story recently shared with me by a young person following a presentation I gave really hit home for me…She shared that she and her mom were curled up on the couch one winter day when she was in elementary school, both suffering from a serious case of the flu. As they sat and colored pictures and fought aches and coughs, they watched a movie about a little girl in another country that found herself in a bad way.
She told her mom “I don’t want to watch this movie, mom, it’s making me uncomfortable.” She shared the movie was about a young girl who made history as a chess player in Uganda. Her life was anything but glamorous, and the “reality” of the young girl’s “reality” made her uncomfortable.
She shared her mom said “It’s important to be aware, and explained that when unfair circumstances of others make us uncomfortable, I believe that’s the seed of Jesus’s compassionate heart nudging us to do something about it… God pushes us out of our comfort zone to do some major work on our hearts. He can meet us with the flu on the couch in our comfortable family room, to teach us a lesson in compassion, gratefulness, and our duty to take care of each other on this earth.”  A wonderful lesson on awareness!  By being aware of the struggles people are experiencing around us, we can reach out with compassion, love and a listening ear to help take care of each other in those times of need, even if we may be feeling uncomfortable.
Another conversation I had a few weeks back was with a young man who I am following as a baseball prospect who told me that if he were a Major League baseball player, he would be thankful for every minute of every day. That certainly is a worthy goal to pursue, but I had to think to myself, no, you wouldn’t be thankful every minute of every day, because it’s all a matter of perspective…
 Millions of people in this world would be grateful to be able to turn on a faucet and have clean water come out, but how thankful are we when we do so? People risk their lives in some countries to vote.  Here we often hear people complain about how many political commercials are on television. (Guess maybe I’ve been guilty of that from time to time).  I’ve also witnessed many people that have been struggling with sickness or even a life threatening illness, who given their circumstance are treating others in what I might consider and “unloving way”.  Given their perspective, they may be reaching out for the compassion and love that those around them can help provide.
So yes, I’m sure that the young man I visited with would be thankful to be a Major League player… at least for a while.  Then he might wonder why he wasn’t playing more, or why he wasn’t making more money like some of the others he sees.  I will try to remember to be thankful for as much as I can each day, seeing the miracles that are present in my life while being thankful for them.  If we would start to look at the world like that, I think we might be surprised at what we see!
God does this not to make us feel guilty for our blessings or lazy for our lack of action. He pushes us out of our comfort zones with people’s “stories” to set us free. Having a heart of compassion that drives us to action sets us free. There is no commandment greater than to love each other, and we are living truly free when we are extensions of His love.
My conversations led me to think about the blessings that I can count in my life. It also shows me that I need to extend my hands and heart to those who need love and support. There are so many big things, little things, daily things that we can do to help others.  That is what my “Home Team” is all about, both human and divine. My “teammates” are there for me always, and I try my best to be there for them as well, no matter what!  As we are about to celebrate Easter, let it serve as a reminder of the greatest “teammate” we could ever ask for, that being Jesus.

As John 3:16 tells us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  God gave us Jesus so that He could be with us at all times, both good and bad; and, as a bonus, He loves us no matter what! 

Wishing you all a blessed Easter as we extend our hands and hearts to those who need our love and support!


Dave


Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey? If so, Reflections from the Home Team... Go the Distance was written to offer strength, hope and comfort when confronted with a cancer journey's challenges. Share a message of positivity with those you care about. Learn more at this link:

www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/

Reflections from the Home Team 2-3-18 "It ...

Reflections from the Home Team 2-3-18

"It wasn't until later that I started to appreciate and understand that success is just as much about mindset and mental toughness as it is about the physical… I then began to realize that no matter what our shape, size or situation, we all have the ability to remain ‘steady’ by living in the present and always ‘being where our feet are’ whenever we are faced with life’s challenges!”Greetings from Cedar Falls!It’s that special time of year for me when baseball begins to enter my mind as pitchers and catchers are preparing to report to spring training. That’s always a good distraction from the cold and blustery days of winter here in Iowa as well as what can be some of the doldrums that set in when dealing with side effects of treatments. One thing that has kept me warm and steady over the winter months are the memories that the 2017 playoffs and World Series have provided.  Two of my favorite players last fall included Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees.Jose Altuve led the AL in batting (.346), hits (204) and heart while earning his fifth All-Star Game berth in seven seasons. The 5-foot-6 Venezuelan also had 39 doubles, 81 RBIs, a .410 on-base average, stole 32 bases and played a stellar second base. Only Ty Cobb, Pete Rose and Hank Aaron had more hits than Altuve at their age. At 6-foot-7 and 282 pounds, Aaron Judge is the young giant of the group who took New York by storm with a monster rookie season, leading the league with 52 homers, 128 runs and 127 walks. The outfielder from Linden, Calif., also got on base a league-leading 286 times and hit a home run every 10.4 at-bats, leading the ‘rebuilding’ Yankees to the ALCS.Once you take away the natural talent and genetics that both players possess, it seems to me that what makes both Jose and Aaron stand out from the rest revolve around the fact that they commit to and master the fundamentals, even when nobody's watching… They execute the little things with excellence every single day. They focus on the process and never skip steps. They each have a positive mindset, and a determined work ethic. Probably most importantly, when those ‘bumps in the road’ happen along the way, they both live in the present moment, not dwelling on the past and not worrying about the future over which they have no control. I witnessed that from both throughout the regular season and playoffs. How’s that for a life plan!!After spending nearly four decades working in the game of baseball and observing pros like Jose and Aaron, it seems to me that these ‘fundamentals’ can be applied to ourselves as we face the challenges that life may present us. I’d be hard pressed not to say that many of the lessons I’ve learned in my life have come from my involvement in sports as both a player and a coach. Sports are one of the best teachers we have. As a player, I was fortunate to have mentors who placed a real focus on teaching me to work hard, be accountable and kind, be a good teammate, and to positively contribute to the world. As a coach, I tried to do the same for those I had the opportunity to influence as my players.I see those qualities present in both Jose and Aaron along with the unique physical skill sets each bring to the game. I believe it is those above-mentioned skills however that both athletes and non-athletes can appreciate. Often, we tend to focus on only ‘physical’ qualities when challenges come our way. When crisis comes, many of us determine to buckle down, to believe that grit and fortitude will be enough to weather the storm. It wasn't until later that I started to appreciate and understand that success is just as much about mindset and mental toughness as it is about the physical… I then began to realize that no matter what our shape, size or situation, we all have the ability to remain ‘steady’ by living in the present and always ‘being where our feet are’ whenever we are faced with life’s challenges!Try as we might to avoid them, crises will come for us in this life. We are not alone because of the “teammates” we all have on each our journeys, both human and divine.   When I was in crisis mode during treatments, the physical presence, help, and listening ear of others was critical for me. Never have I been so aware of the beauty of the body of Christ as I have been when I was dependent upon others to help care for me, to support my family, and to pray and believe for me when I was losing my grip on the ability to do so for myself.‘Be where your feet are’ was a common saying of my favorite baseball coach.  Of course, in his world of baseball, it meant to dwell in the present.  If I was having a bad day, he stressed to not let that day continue to distract me mentally and thereby cause the next day to be a bad one.  The game of baseball, just as the game of life is made up of many plays.  In a sense, each play is an individual game.  The player is to play each play individually.  Win this play.  Then win the next play.  Play the game one play at a time.  Play in the moment.  Be where your feet are!
This was and is a very powerful message for me when dealing with the issues involved with the treatments and the follow-ups of a cancer journey. Play one play at a time; take one day at a time.  Life is made up of days.  Psalm 90:12 tells us we would do well to live our lives one day at a time.  And strive to win each day.  Don’t let yesterday ruin today.  And by the same token, tomorrow’s concerns can ruin today as well.
Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, another coach I have tremendous respect for carried the following poem in his wallet and it speaks well to the thoughts shared today…
“This is the beginning of a new day.  GOD has given me this day to use as I will.  I can waste it or use it for good.  What I do today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.  When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving something in its place I have traded for it.  I want it to be gain, not loss – good, not evil – success, not failure in order that I shall not forget the price I paid for it.”
The idea is to live today.  We can’t change the past.  We need to  make the most of today.  Let us ‘Be where our feet are’ today. Whatever our need - physical, spiritual, financial, emotional, relational – God’s Truth reminds us that He's got ‘this thing’, whatever it is, that concerns you.
Wishing all a wonderful day as we ease into change, walking from one season to the next. God is so creative, He seized the opportunity to create a time for the beauty of transition!
Dave
Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey? If so, Reflections from the Home Team... Go the Distance was written to offer strength, hope and comfort when confronted with a cancer journey's challenges. Share a message of positivity with those you care about. Learn more about the book at this link:
www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/

Reflections from the Home Team December 2, 2017 ...

Reflections from the Home Team December 2, 2017

“As I witnessed that interaction in the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics waiting room… peace, joy, confidence, hope, faith and love all erupted at once in my heart! That experience illustrated through an ‘interruption’ what I feel we all seek in times of difficulty and challenge… a loving presence.”
Greetings from Cedar Falls to my HOME TEAM,
December it seems is always a month of medical follow-ups for me… I’ve just returned from an appointment in Iowa City this past week to follow up on some post treatment side effects. I have been battling upper respiratory challenges as well as some throat and swallowing issues. Seems the radiation and chemo treatments are a gift that just “keep on giving”. I need to be mindful of those issues given my compromised immune system issues since treatments.  I have scheduled a procedure in Iowa City later in December to address those concerns and will also do my regular labs at that time to monitor whether the “visiting team” has any inclinations of coming back to compete in extra innings at that time.
These ongoing checks are important, and provide me with what I refer to as “momentary interruptions” in my daily life. Easy as it may be to allow these interruptions to cloud my thankfulness for the gift of life, I need to remind myself to let them go.  I’m not talking about just the physical things... I’m also including the emotional baggage that can come with those interruptions. I can tell when it’s time to let something go, that being when it begins to feel heavy…  Whether that be frustration with a health issue, a work issue or any other any other challenge that may come my way, it feels good to let them go so that I can create space in my life for new things to come in.  As author Bryant McGill writes in his book “Simple Reminders”…
“It's not wrong to be upset. It's not wrong to cry. It's not wrong to want attention. It's not even wrong to scream or throw a fit. What is wrong is to keep it all inside. What is wrong is to blame and punish yourself for simply being human. What is wrong is to never be heard and to be alone in your pain. Share it. Let it out. Abundance becomes the process of letting go as that which is empty can receive.”
I witnessed an example of that in Iowa City this past week as I was sitting in the U of I Hospitals waiting room for some tests. A gentleman, about my age, was sitting with his children and one of his grandchildren. He was really struggling with his emotions as he was discussing and trying to explain how he felt about his recent cancer diagnosis with his family who was there with him. As he began to tear up, his granddaughter, about seven years old I’d guess, crawled up into his lap to comfort him. At first, he seemed annoyed by the “interruption” as he shared his thoughts with family… As she sat in his lap, I couldn’t help but notice several bruises, scratches and the matted Band-Aid on one of her arms… all of which it seems are often a part of a healthy seven year olds life. As the granddaughter settled in and snuggled with her ‘Pops’, that “interruption” became an illustration of the love, care and affection she had for her grandpa. In turn, her grandpa gave her a hug, acknowledged that they were both a bit bruised and broken and that they could ‘snuggle’ together to help comfort and heal each other.
As I witnessed that interaction in the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics waiting room… peace, joy, confidence, hope, faith and love all erupted at once in my heart! That experience illustrated through an ‘interruption’ what I feel we all seek in times of difficulty and challenge… a loving presence.
Our lives are full of interruptions…traffic, a sick child, a long line, a needy neighbor, a complaining customer, a co-worker in crisis, illness and death. These all look, sound and feel like interruptions. However, each of us has the ability to look beyond life’s interruptions and instead see illustrations of God’s love as well as the love of others in our lives.
Interruptions can be appointments for compassion as life at times may feel unfair, but in our everyday routines, we need to recognize that interruptions represent people to love and also create opportunities for us to be loved! We each need to allow those interruptions to slow us down a bit, so we can better focus on receiving and giving love both from God as well as the others in our lives.
Just as the young seven year old settled into her grandpa’s lap in Iowa City, we can lean into God’s lap and learn of His love for the person or challenge that may have interrupted our life. By settling into the lap of our Lord, as well as those on our personal “Home Teams” who care about us, we can rest securely in their comfort and compassion.
As we deal with the frustrations in explaining how we feel about the challenges our life journey can present us, John 13:7 provides me with some guidance… “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” As we learn to live in this world, He is with us. As we walk down dark paths, He is with us. As we face grief, disappointments, addictions, illnesses, and the unfairness of life, He is with us… for eternity.
May each of your life’s journeys be filled with such a “loving presence” as you navigate the challenges each day presents in our lives and may your eyes be open to see the illustrations of love in the interruptions in our lives…
Blessings to all and wishing you a wonderful Christmas season! Special thanks to all for being such a “loving presence” on my Home Team!
Dave Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey? If so, Reflections from the Home Team... Go the Distance was written to offer strength, hope and comfort when confronted with a cancer journey's challenges. Share a message of positivity with those you care about. Learn more about the book at this link:
www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/

Reflections from the Home Team October 5, 2017 ...

Reflections from the Home Team October 5, 2017

Jackie Robinson truly had it right… “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other’s lives.” May I respectfully add, “Except in the POSITIVE impact it has on other’s lives.”
Greetings from Cedar Falls,
Once again, special thanks to all those on my “Home Team” for the love, support and encouragement offered during the challenging times of my cancer journey. The many encouraging thoughts shared over the years since my journey began has continued to fill my “emotional bank” on those days when it can feel like that account is running a deficit… Please feel free to continue to share your love, support and encouragement withothers who may be facing similar challenges! Remember, It’s not the team with the best players that win… It’s the players with the best team that wins! I’m so fortunate to have a “Home Team” that rocks❣❣
So many times, we tell ourselves how “little power” we have when faced with life’s challenges. No matter who you are, or what the challenge you may be facing, each of us has the power to positively impact not only ourselves, but also the people we come into contact with each day.  Just think about how many people you come in contact with over the course of a day and how a simple positive interaction could help them get through a difficult situation in their life. Sometimes that interaction can be as simple as a kind word, or a smile, or just simply by listening. Each of us has within us an awesome power to change the world -- one positive interaction at a time.
As I reflect on the events of the past few months in our Country, I am truly disheartened by what I see… As I have witnessed the divisions that currently exist in our Country, along with the tragic, senseless acts of violence such as just displayed in Las Vegas, I’m deeply troubled by the hurtful comments being made and directed at others with whom we may disagree… so many disparaging comments being directed toward individuals and groups on both sides of a discussion. I see them on T.V., hear them on the radio and read them in social media every day, and without question, they continue to push us more and more into the “great divide”.
My wife Tricia and I had the privilege of attending Hope Lutheran Church (Johnston/Grimes) last weekend.  We traveled to Des Moines to listen to our daughter Sarah sing at the service. Pastor Mike Housholder delivered a powerful message that really struck home with us by offering a positive approach to this dilemma.
In a nutshell, here are the major points…
Pastor Mike began by sharing a clip from the 1970’s classic sitcom “All in the Family”.  “Archie Bunker”, representing a sometimes bigoted, old school character and his son-in-law “Meathead” who certainly had different ideas than Archie while owning a few problems of his own. It was that tension that often drove the comedy in the show. In the clip, Archie secretly takes his grandson to a local church to baptize him without the child’s parent’s knowledge. Despite his “rough exterior” and “surface issues”, Archie was acting out of love, wanting his grandson to be saved through baptism. Pastor Mike used the clip to show how complex we all can be, while understanding that we are ALL sinners.
Pastor then went on to share the true story of Coach Tandy Gerelds, a High School football coach in Birmingham, Alabama in the 1970’s. The story was made into a movie titled Woodlawn, which I highly recommend. Coach Gerelds had a goal, and that was to win football games. If you recall history, in1973, Birmingham was a terribly divided city, divided along racial lines. With the implementation of bussing, his team now became integrated with mixed races for the first time.  With that forced integration, came much conflict and chaos between members on the team, the school and the community.  One young man from Birmingham attended a Billy Graham “revival” in the Cotton Bowl that year and wanted to bring back what he had taken away from the revival and share it with the team to help heal the conflict and chaos. Coach Gerelds, not a religious man by any means, offered him 5 minutes with the team. Actually, he spent more than five minutes with the team, talking and praying together with them, bringing them together in the “UNITY” of Christ. There was a “spiritual thing” going on there… The team began eating together, hanging out together, and slowly but surely, things began to get better.  The players at Woodlawn then began sharing with their archrival, and to this day, the largest crowd ever at an Alabama high school football game (42,000 people, 20,000 of whom couldn’t get in because of lack of space) came together to watch the rivals play each other.
Pastor Mike went on to say that if we truly know and understand our history, when we as a nation have been deeply divided in the past, (e.g. abolition of slavery, women’s right to vote, the civil rights movement) change has always begun with a revival.  Only a revival can heal us in order that we may cross the divide that exists between us.  Having a sense that God cares about each of us, even those with whom we disagree, can allow His Grace to come through us and can help set us free from being so divided! 
We can certainly take a lesson from how Jesus handled these types of situations. He didn’t post things on Facebook or other social media dismissing people he disagreed with… He didn’t tear their character down… He quietly took the sinners aside, shoeing them away from those who were accusing them and told them to go and sin no more.  After all, the “ground is level” at the foot of the cross! Jesus offered them love and support, not only showing them a better way, but He also modeled it Himself! We are all complex, we are all sinners, and we simply can’t wait for “perfection” to begin the process of revival… Let’s allow the “light of positivity” to shine through to all those “complex” folks around us, as we start a revival of our own in 2017!
I have included a link to Pastor Mike’s entire sermon below, and would encourage you to take a bit of quiet time just for yourself to view Pastor Mike’s entire message offering hope, positivity and a solution to what is currently dividing us in our Country.
Pastor Mike Housholder’s message; October 1, 2017https://vimeopro.com/hopeonline/here-...

Jackie Robinson truly had it right… “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other’s lives.” May I respectfully add, “Except in the POSITIVE impact it has on other’s lives.”
It is so important for us to keep our eyes on what truly matters - - to love our families, our communities and each other to the best of our ability. As we share our “stories” and our faith without fear or delay, let’s make our lives and comments focus on the positive as we work together to impact those who may be struggling. Some days get hard. We feel exhausted. Worn. Tired of fighting. About ready to give up. Feeling like we can’t go on. Struggling through defeat. And then, we may wonder if we’ve been left on our own... We’re not alone. Not ever. God won’t let us go! His Word is filled with reminders that He fights for us each and every day.
We’re all in this "life thing" together and it's good to keep a focus on helping each other get through it each day. Give an encouraging word, smile at someone, write a note, pray for another person and let them know that you’re praying, anything, just to remind them that you’re helping hold them up, and that you’re with them.
I just couldn’t finish my reflection without sharing that the recent experiences I’ve had sharing my story with individuals and groups has been a wonderful opportunity to help spread the message of positivity and connectedness. It has truly been a blessing for me to listen to others thoughts and perspectives as they confront life’s challenges while moving forward with their own personal journeys.
Wishing everyone the many blessings God has in store for each of us,
In Christ’s Love and Comfort…

Dave


Reflections from the Home Team… Go the Distance was written to help spread a message of positivity while also sharing the importance of remaining connected when facing not only cancer, but any other of life’s challenges that may come our way. The book’s purpose is to help offer compassion, hope, and strength for others who may be facing similar battles while also offering encouragement and positivity to readers who may find them selves or a loved one in a catastrophic health situation, or for that matter, any challenging situation that life may toss your way… The thoughts shared in the book can help train your mind to see the “positive” in every situation.
The author has shared his personal thoughts and experiences so that others may face difficult times by filling their minds and spirits with the positive thoughts and energy shared in the book. Baseball metaphors, competitive spirit, a touch of humor, and thanking God for each and every day of life provide common themes throughout.  Each reflection entry ends with an encouraging attitude, a spiritual insight and a step to consider which help provide some essential “fundamentals” to consider when facing life’s difficulties and challenges.
Please find the author’s “story” below as shared in an interview with Ron Steele: https://vimeo.com/studio5mudd/review/...
To learn more about the book and how to obtain a signed, personalized copy, or to find “buy the book” locations, please click on the book’s web site below. The website also contains updated posts from the “Reflections from the Home Team Blog” in which the author shares thoughts and reflections as his journey continues.www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
Amazon reviews of Reflections from the Home Team… Go the Distance can be found at the link below: https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Home-Team-David-Welter/dp/1545607575

Reflections from the Home Team September 13...

Reflections from the Home Team September 13, 2017

“Fear and anxiety often come from uncertainty, and uncertainty can indicate a lack of confidence… That lack of confidence comes from not having a plan in place along with the support needed to deal with a challenge.”

Greetings from Cedar Falls!
The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind for me. Lots of happenings in my life, most all of them good! Some recent lab work had some marginal numbers regarding my immune system, which appear to be an ongoing “gift” of the chemo cocktail used to help put me in remission.  It appears that will be an ongoing challenge to monitor, and after visiting with my doctors, I feel comfortable we will stay on top of it.  I may need to be careful when kissing those granddaughters of mine!
I’ve also been blessed with having the opportunity recently to visit with a number of groups about the thoughts I’ve shared in my book, Reflections from the Home Team… Go the Distance. One common thread in many of those conversations was the fear, anxiety and self-pity that can often accompany a cancer journey, or for that matter, any of the worldly issues that are confronting many of us now. Whether they be natural disasters such as Hurricanes, threats such as those coming out of North Korea; or personal disasters such as a young person taking their own life here in Cedar Falls recently, or the tragic loss of a high school classmate. During those difficult times, fear, anxiety and self-pity can often play a role. That leads me to this reflection.
I go back a long way with fear and anxiety… not just the fear and anxiety that comes with experiencing the cancer journey, but with the fear and anxiety that was often a part of my baseball journey as both a player and a coach. Baseball tends to help us learn to deal with our fears and anxieties more than any other sport.  Those fears may include things such as someone else being a better player, taking your place in the line up.  Of course, this can be a common fear in any sport. Other fears can include the fear of striking out, being hit in the face with a pitch or a bounding ground ball, as well as fear of injury. Whether it is hitting, fielding or pitching, this concern has certainly been a part of baseball since its' inception, over 170 years ago. Without a doubt, if you have played baseball at any level, including in your “neighborhood park”, you have experienced some of these fears. All are real and legitimate.
So how do we help players move beyond the “paralysis level”, to the aggressive, “take charge” level, in their baseball life? By providing them with the skills to manage their fear and anxiety, we can take a big step in moving forward while decreasing their vulnerability. Some or all of the following comments may sound familiar as you’ve wrestled with fear and anxiety when facing some of the challenges that have been “tossed” your way.

“Put it out of your mind”…
“Don't think about it”…
“Jump right in there”…

“Don't rub it”…
“Take one for the team”…
The list goes on; unfortunately, none of those suggestions will do anything to help the situation. Fear and anxiety often come from uncertainty, and uncertainty can indicate a lack of confidence… That lack of confidence comes from not having a plan in place along with the support needed to deal with a challenge.
I’ve found through personal experience in both my cancer journey and “baseball life” that by allowing others into my life to help me develop a plan to deal with the challenges I’m facing has been a very powerful tool in helping me gain confidence, a positive mindset and the skills needed to overcome those challenges. Deuteronomy 31:8 speaks to this… "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Even when focusing on those comforting words, our feelings often fail to submit to the logic of that thought. David, who was both a strong warrior and gifted poet, often expressed fearfulness, trembling and horror in his psalms. Despite that, he also expressed genuine and deep trust in God who he knew would be at his side through all of it. His life and his writing demonstrate that fear does not "trump" trust. They can coexist. It led David to proclaim, "When I am afraid, I will trust in You."

When fear or anxiety enter our hearts, we need to understand it is a very human emotion. We can acknowledge it and affirm our trust in God, which can bring us comfort and hope. We can also place our trust in our own personal “Home Teams” which can include a medical team, family, friends and co-workers. To me, these are comforting thoughts as we move forward on our life's journey which often includes a few “bumps in the road!”  
Jon Gordon shared a wonderful piece in a recent post that speaks to my heart about how we can deal with fear and anxiety in a constructive way when faced with life’s challenges…
                            FEAR NOT!
There's a hurricane headed your way. Fear not!You'll likely lose power. Fear not!You're not sure what the future holds. Fear not!You're not sure how the meeting went. Fear not!You're waiting on the medical report. Fear not!You're getting ready for the big game. Fear not!You might lose your job. Fear not!You don't know what college you will go to. Fear not!Your parents are getting a divorce. Fear not!You don't think the interview went well. Fear not!They're putting a lot of pressure on you. Fear not!You may not hit your numbers. Fear not!There's a lot of chaos in the world. Fear not!
Fear not doesn't mean you take reckless action.Fear not doesn't mean you ignore the reality of the situation.Fear not doesn't mean you make stupid decisions. Fear not doesn't mean you don't prepare.Fear not doesn't mean you don't care. Fear not doesn't mean you don't feel fear.Fear not means you let go and know you're not in control.Fear not means you don't let fear consume you.Fear not means you don't let fear guide you.Fear not means you don't let fear paralyze you.Fear not means you don't let fear sabotage your health.Fear not means you won't let fear steal your future.Fear not means your trust is greater than your fear.Fear not means you move forward with faith.Fear not means you have hope today.Fear not means you still dream about tomorrow.Fear not means you believe the best is yet to come.-       Jon
What a wonderful “set of skills” to help deal with the fears and anxieties that often get tossed our way!  At times, we also can experience the "bottomless pit" of self-pity when faced with difficult times. Once we fall into it, following our past or present struggles, it can really contaminate our view of the future.

Our way out of that pit is to look up and see the Light of God’s presence shining down on us no matter what the struggles may be we are facing. I know I have struggled at times with self-pity, asking God and myself why I have been subjected to some serious health issues in recent years. That is when I need to focus on God, trusting Him to help me overcome the mire of self-pity that can cling to us during challenging times. Actually, I think God uses our times of neediness to remind us we need to depend totally on Him.

Sure, it is sad when things change, like our health, or the aches and pains of getting older...  or when we have to say goodbye to the people we love. Seems to be happening more all the time… But one thing is certain... we can always hold onto our memories. Nothing lasts longer than a happy memory, and they last a lifetime.

Wishing you all a wonderful life journey, enjoying the good things God has in store for each of us.
In Christ’s Love and Comfort…
Dave

For those who may be interested, you can also find my blog posts and book at the website below.http://www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
I have truly enjoyed signing and personalizing copies of my book for a number of people through the Reflections website. I am hopeful it has helped develop in those who read it a positive mindset, while realizing the importance of staying connected as each of us face life’s difficult challenges.
“Reflections from the Home Team… Go the Distance” website:http://www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
“Reflections from the Home Team” Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsfromthehometeam/

Reflections from the Home Team, August 5, 2017Greetings f...

Reflections from the Home Team, August 5, 2017

Greetings from Cedar Falls!
I am excited to share that the website for my book is now up and running! Just   click  on the URL below and it will take you to the site.
www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
I am so very thankful to Jim Mudd Jr., Jim Sartorious, Derick Rogers and their team at Mudd Advertising as well as my son Rob for their help in putting the site together.  Also a special thanks to Ron Steele and KWWL Channel 7 for the interview on the book which will air Sunday, August 6th at 10:00 am on the Steele Report, as well as to Jim Nelson and the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier which will feature the book in an upcoming article to help get the message out. Please feel free to view and share as you work to encourage others on their life’s journey.
Reflections from the Home Team… Go the Distance is a story of reflections about placing trust in God and others around us as we face life’s difficult challenges. Sometimes we tend to forget this as we deal with life’s challenges on our own instead of staying in touch with those around us. 
I feel that by sharing the things that have troubled me most on my journey, my personal weaknesses and wounds can be used in helping others. By letting these hurting parts of me be exposed, and by revealing them to others, my hope is that they can provide some comfort and guidance to those who may be experiencing similar struggles. My experience is that God’s strength comes into it’s own in our weaknesses. The two fit perfectly together.
Almost all of us will experience some kind of adversity, and most of us will go through some pretty tough times at some point in our lives. Sharing our stories can be very healing, as we all have something to share with others.
Words have power – positive power on others, especially for those who may be struggling to overcome challenges or difficult times.Remember, your story hasn't been written yet… The final chapter is yet to happen! Use your journey as a means to help encourage others on theirs...
I hope you enjoy the book and wish you all many blessings as you live out your own chapters filled with personal reflection while reaching out to and encouraging those you love. I would love to send a personalized, signed copy to anyone who would request that on the site, and thanks to each of you for being a special part of my “Home Team”!

Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Sincerely,
Dave
 Reflections from the Home Team… Go the Distance website:

www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/

Reflections from the Home Team, July 21, 2017 ...

Reflections from the Home Team, July 21, 2017

“So often the difference between success and failure is belief, and so often someone who encouraged us instills that belief in us… Be an encourager!”

Greetings from Cedar Falls!
Hoping all is well with each of you as we fast forward into the rest of summer!  I wanted to share a few thoughts today, having not done so since last March.  I’ve been working with my team of doctors monitoring some symptoms following the removal of some polyps in January.  We’ve discussed some possible surgery, but have decided to put things on hold for the time being as the symptoms have improved and my labs are currently in an acceptable range. I’m good with that, as I’d like to avoid any further surgeries! I’ve had my share of needles poked in me over the past few years, at times feeling like I could turn this body into an irrigation system for the infield… and that brings me to this reflection. 
As I’ve sat in Iowa City for treatments and follow-ups since being diagnosed back in 2009, I’ve visited with many folks who have needed a word of encouragement along the way, myself included!  As I was doing some reading this past week, I came across a comment made by Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-Fil-A. He was asked, "How do you know if a man or woman needs encouragement?" His response, "If they are breathing…” How true that rings from my experiences!! We all need encouragement, and positive encouragement can inspire others to do more and become more than they ever thought possible. Encouragers are people the world needs more of… With so many people telling us we can't succeed in our life’s challenges, we need to hear people telling us we can. This is especially true in the cancer journey!  Many times over the years I have had conversations with others who have helped make all the difference for me at times when I’ve felt down and discouraged, and I’m hopeful I may have shared a few words that did the same for others along the way.
I often run into those who may think it's their “role” to inject a dose of "reality" into someone else’s life, thinking it's their job to protect people from the pain of failure and defeat. Honestly, there are enough pessimists and realists in the world… it really doesn't need more negativity and impossible thinkers. The world needs more optimists, encouragers, and inspirers!The world needs more people to speak into the hearts of others. Jon Gordon, one of my favorite authors, says it best for me as he shared the following in a recent post:
“We all love working for and with people who bring out the best in us. We love being around people who uplift us and make us feel great. And while we'll always remember the negative people who told us we couldn't accomplish something, we will always cherish and hold a special place in our heart for those who encouraged us.”
Given that thought, I’d ask each of you to consider being an encourager… So often the difference between success and failure is belief, and so often someone who encouraged us instills that belief in us… Be An Encourager! Be that person who decides to uplift someone who is feeling down or who may be struggling with a health challenge. Share encouragement because it matters and we all need it!
While at a meeting I recently attended, the committee chairperson asked us to gather in groups of three with people we had never met. She told us to each take one minute to tell the others about ourselves and share the story of one person we wanted God to bless.

One man in my group said he wanted God to bless his wife who was battling cancer while she cared for her invalid mother. Another praised God for healing his wife’s cancer but said he was concerned for his adult son who had drifted away from God.

If this had been a typical session, we would have left as we came in—as strangers. But because the group leader asked us to share something personal, we all made an immediate connection. I left the session wondering what other situations are out there needing some form of encouragement. Most people are struggling with something significant while also rejoicing about something else.

Everyone needs prayer and encouragement—either to celebrate God’s goodness or to seek God’s grace. It certainly isn’t wise for us to walk up to strangers and demand that they open up to us, but we certainly can be aware that each person most likely has some unexpressed yearnings.It is comforting to know we never have to handle things alone, and that if we choose, we each can each develop a “ Home Team” of our own to help encourage us through those times when we or someone we love is struggling.
I also wanted to take a moment to share that my book, Reflections from the Home Team… Go the Distance has now been published. The book offers my experiences and reflections to others who may be facing difficult and challenging times. It is my hope that by reading the book, their minds and spirits may be filled with positive thoughts and energy, while offering a healthy dose of encouragement along the way. Baseball metaphors and analogies, competitive spirit, and a touch of humor provide common themes in the book. I pray that the book may offer hope, strength and ENCOURAGEMENT to those who may be facing a similar journey!
With the help of my son Rob and one of my former baseball players Jim Mudd Jr. and his team at Mudd advertising, we are developing a website for the book. The website will tentatively be going live on Sunday, August 6th. If you may be interested in picking up copy of the book, you may go to the website at the URL listed below at that time.
ReflectionsFromTheHomeTeam.com 
The website, will provide information about the book as well as details on how to purchase the book, including an option to receive a personalized, signed copy directly from me if you so choose. The website URL is currently linked to my blog and will be additionally linked to information regarding the book on the site once it goes live. The book will also be available for purchase on the shelves at:

Barnes and Noble1518 Flamming DriveWaterloo, Iowa 50702319-232-0475
Wiley’s Christian Book Store2520 Waterloo Rd.Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613319-277-2005
Reflections from the Home Team… Go the Distance may also be ordered on line at the following links:
Amazon.comBarnesandnoble.comxulonpress/bookstore

Many blessings to each of you as you become an encourager in someone else’s life!
Sincerely,
Dave

Link to: Reflections from the Home Team… Go the Distance Book Website:ReflectionsFromTheHomeTeam.com 
Link to: Reflections from the Home Team BLOG
http://reflectionsfromthehometeam.blogspot.com/
Link to Vimeo: Reflections from the Home Team... Go the Distance “My Story”
http://vimeo.com/53873087
Link to: Tommy Emmanuel and "Angelina" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhR04kmcSXU

Reflections from the Home Team March 25, 2017“Just as a r...

Reflections from the Home Team March 25, 2017

“Just as a renewed sense of hope for baseball teams blossoms while a new season lurks in the horizon, the same can be true for each of us in our relationship with God, no matter what pains or tragedies may be facing us or our loved ones.” Greetings from Cedar Falls,It’s been a while since my last update in December.  At that time I was preparing for additional biopsies following the discovery and removal of some tubular polyps that had cancer “potential” that month.  My team of doctors decided to wait a few weeks to go back in to make sure that all traces of the polyps were removed and that there was no additional growth. That second procedure occurred in January and was successful in determining all of the polyps were removed and that there was no additional growth.  That was certainly a relief and yes, HOPE has returned with the arrival of spring! Even though the calendar might say March, the weather here in Iowa has at times said otherwise. The occasional warm temperatures have allowed many outdoor activities to start up once again while also reminding us that spring training games are now happening. While we all enjoy the unseasonably warm weather here in Iowa, Major League baseball teams are experiencing the sun in Florida and Arizona as spring training workouts are in full swing.For most people, the middle of the season and the postseason are times of the year in which they are brought the most enjoyment. However, for me, spring training has always been a special time of the year. After seeing 29 teams fail to reach the ultimate goal last season, it’s nice to see a renewed sense of hope as a new season lurks in the horizon. Spring training games aren’t always the most exciting things to watch, I’ll admit that, but to see the preparation players go through and young hopefuls get a chance to show their worth is something I always look forward to.When it comes to the Atlanta Braves, there is always a sense of hope. After a long string of consecutive winning seasons and playoff appearances, the Braves took a step backwards last year, sporting a losing season. However, the hope has returned with the arrival of spring.The Braves have a crop of young players battling for spots on the major league roster and a number of veteran players looking to make bigger impacts in 2017. That’s the best part about the spring season. Last year is over and the past is the past. Spring training marks a new beginning for all 30 major league clubs as they make the long run towards October.That brings me to this Reflection.  My wife Tricia and I recently took in the movie “The Shack”. The movie was based on a novel written by William Young in 2007 by the same title. Just as Spring Training sparks a new hope for all Major League Baseball Clubs, this movie helped spark a new hope for a man who had to deal with a number of “pains” in his life. The Shack is about one man's redemption, on a number of different levels: spiritual, relational and family centered. There’s not a single relationship in Mack's life (the featured character in the movie and book) that's not deeply impacted by what transpires when he reaches the “shack”. I won’t spoil the movie for you by going into detail, but after his young daughter Missy’s abduction and murder during a camping excursion, Mack retreats within to deal with the pain. But his wife lovingly, and bravely confronts Mack saying, "Don't forget we love each other." It's a statement that underscores the importance of a husband and wife maintaining loving communication when going through difficult times, just as it can throughout one’s cancer journey.The movie points to some spiritual insights that I have found helpful throughout my journey. First, God loves people, even deeply flawed people who aren't yet in a relationship with Him; God cares deeply for those who've gone through severe tragedies; God does not abandon His loved ones during difficult times; God desires reconciliation with those who don't know Him; God offers hope even in the most hopeless of situations; and God can make incredibly good things happen, even after unspeakable tragedies.Mack’s encounter with God changed him and birthed new hope and a real faith in God. A man who loses one of his children understandably questions where God was during that tragedy, just as a cancer victim often asks where God may have been during their battle with the disease. It's a question that has been asked since the beginning of time. It's the reason behind the book of Job in the Bible. And yet, just as in Job, the answer is; "I am God; trust in me," rather than, "I am God; I owe you an explanation." The take away for me is that God cares. He loves deeply and unconditionally. He wants to heal our woundedness and He can do so when we choose to let Him. Just as a renewed sense of hope for baseball teams blossoms while a new season lurks in the horizon, the same can be true for each of us in our relationship with God, no matter what pains or tragedies may be facing us or our loved ones.I have truly been enjoying the freedoms that retirement brings while keeping busy as well. Scouting season will be getting underway soon as the weather improves and my driving for Western Home Communities has been quite enjoyable.  Another project that has occupied my time involves transforming my Reflections into book form. It will be titled Reflections from the Home Team… Go the Distance. We are in the final editing stages with Xulon press, a Christian publishing group connected with the Salem Marketing Group.
My hope is to offer my experiences in the book so that others may face difficult times by filling their minds and spirits with the positive thoughts and energy shared in the book. Baseball metaphors, competitive spirit, a touch of humor and thanking God for each and every day of life provide common themes throughout the book. The Reflections will include a touch of spiritual insight, encouraging quotes from wise and thoughtful people, and some suggestions on action and attitudinal steps you might consider taking to help you or a friend walk through a life-changing event such as cancer. I’ll keep you posted as to progress as we move forward with publishing.
Wishing you all a joyous Easter Season and renewed hope with any struggles you may be facing.
Sincerely,
Dave
Link to: Reflections from the Home Team BLOG
http://reflectionsfromthehometeam.blogspot.com/
Link to Vimeo: Reflections from the "Home Team"... Go the Distance
http://vimeo.com/53873087
Link to: Tommy Emmanuel and "Angelina"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhR04kmcSXU