“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

WHAT was I thinking? Like the old song, was I looking for a taste of things ‘The Way We Were’ or for a little, ‘I Got Sunshine On a Cloudy Day?’ Either way, my downhill slide began at the first snap of the Steeler-Browns football game. The ball went over the head of Ben, into the end zone and a Browns player jumped on it! Touchdown! I couldn’t believe it! My old friend, disappointment, sat beside me and smiled! My OWN fumble was my next mistake.

By the time the first quarter of that game ended, THEY had 28 points. WE had ZIP! Though born in Pittsburgh, I had lived in Cleveland for 8 years! Now I live near Tampa! I SHOULD have been happy, since all 3 of my ‘hometown teams’ had made the playoffs! Then I remembered the MOST important thing. My happiness is not, and never should be, centered around a ball, a score, an outcome or other people. DUH!!!!!!

Years ago I had the opportunity, and honor, to deliver the Baccalaureate address to 2 of my kids graduating High School seniors. I preached on this very verse as a way of escape when life deals a disappointing blow! Like ALL good advice, the HARDEST part is FIRST humbling myself in order to receive it. In order to get RIGHT, I had to FIRST admit I was WRONG! And boy…was I ever!??

Losing is HARD. Not getting my own way is PAINFUL. Dying to my own desire is DEPRESSING! The really ridiculous part is, I should be good at it by now! It should be simpler! But it isn’t! So much of the time I have to remind myself that life, ‘ain’t about me!’ Which takes some convincing before I can start to see a turn around.

‘He who expects nothing ain’t gonna be deceived,’ is one way of looking at life. But it isn’t God’s way. He WANTS me to have goals, plans and expectations. But those plans are EXPECTED to be rooted in HIS plan for me. The WORLD likes to create its own truth. In fact, Baccalaureate Services are no longer even held anymore. But that doesn’t stop God’s Expectation that I will place my life and hope on HIM! ALWAYS

Now that I admit my attitude was wrong and admitted it to God, I have a new ‘old’ song to sing! Today…I’m going to, ‘Fly Like an Eagle!’ How about you?