Ok, so now that the four letter word network has gotten into the act, everyone is accusing Florida of running a dirty program. You know the four letters I am talking about, don’t you? Yeah, the self-proclaimed, we are never wrong, we don’t show sports we create it, and we don’t care how many people have heat exhaustion just play the game when we want it network guys are now jumping on Florida for the arrest record under Coach Meyer. To me there is a difference in running a dirty program and having players who can’t keep off the mug shot website. I’ll touch on that in a minute, but let’s start with ESPN who recently had one of their own charged with a number of felonies. He’s not the first one either. Oh, they are no where near Florida’s 30 arrests in the last 6 years, but we also don’t have access to all their records and their “faces” are much less in number than just the 120 or so football players at UF. So we would expect their numbers to be less, but let’s not kid ourselves as to the number of guys who have gotten in trouble and maybe even been arrested and later had the charges dropped for various reasons. The only reason most of the stories about the guys at UF were because they were UF athletes, not because of the heinous crimes they were committing. I’m not excusing any crimes, just saying that most of what makes headlines concerning athletes might show up on page 6 of the local section in the daily paper if it made it all all.
Just take a look any day at the mug shots listed on the link on www.gainesville.com. You will see all kinds of people, both young and old. A few of their crimes make the headlines or the main section of the paper and maybe a one minute segment on the late news, then that’s the last you hear of it until it goes to trial. Many of their cases will be dropped or reduced without a bit of ink being wasted because it just doesn’t matter that the battery charge was dropped to something else and so and so had to do 200 hours of community service and keep his record clean for 6 months until the charges disappear completely from his or her record. But in the case of athletes, we somehow think that the coaches and administrators have the local DA in their back pocket because a kid who has a first offense doesn’t end up doing jail time. We need to let the justice system do it’s job and decide which criminals should be behind bars and which ones can do with a slap on the wrist that hopefully serves as a wake up call to behave better in society.
But why are athletes at UF getting in trouble so much these last few years. Do the coaches not talk about it? The answer is definitely “yes, they do”! The athletic department even has the equivalent of life coaches to help these young men and women develop into strong, productive citizens. And the vast majority does just that. Sure 30 arrests is too many, but even that is about 25% of the athletes on the football team. If you take a look at the background of most of the top tier athletes in this country you will find that many of them come from less than ideal situations. The majority of them are African-American and reared in single mom homes. That’s not a racial slur and not true of every athlete for sure. An interesting study would be to compare the arrest records of those who leave those environments to play sports and those who remain in those environments. We might have a better understanding of why these athletes get into trouble and my guess is that we would be amazed that so many of them stay out of trouble while they are in college.
Coaches and administrators cannot babysit every athlete at a university. Thanks to the NCAA, there is no longer an athletic dorm as there used to be. This might be something that needs to come back. At least when every athlete was in one dorm or two with a female athlete dorm, the staff could keep tabs on the comings and goings of players. They could control access by outside people and log who was visiting players during the week. It would be hard to get a runner for an agent by a diligent staff, hard but not impossible, right SMU? There will always be problems but at least the coaching staff would have a fighting chance to monitor the players if there was an athletic dorm. I know that sounds a little like a prison, but with a few more arrests, UF might have to hire the probation office who used to work at FSU and Miami anyway!
The problem is not a fun one to have at your University. It makes everyone look bad and not everyone is having these problems. But it seems unfair to blame the coach or call the program dirty when college guys are making dumb mistakes. I didn’t hear the numbers for the last home game but usually there are 40 plus arrests every home game in the swamp. And none of these are athletes, just regular “joes” and “janes” who do stupid stuff. And should we have access to the arrest records of a similar sample of students in Frats the numbers might be higher or lower depending on the recruitment standards of that particular Greek group. Athletes are not the only students getting arrested, but they certainly are the ones being talked about the most. So they have to stop the madness. The coaches can’t do it for them, the university can’t do it for them, and neither can the national media, or even the four letter network. The only thing that will change the culture is the changing of moral values from the inside of every individual and that change is brought about only through the forgiveness and changing of the heart found in a right relationship with God through Jesus. Anything less will only lead to temporary change!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
How in the world did this happen?
How in the world does a guy who leads a 30 member church end up the center of attention for the entire world? That’s the question that I have been pondering over the last few weeks. Mostly because I have been asked by friends, alumni, and reporters to respond to Pastor Jones’ plans to burn the Koran since I live in Gainesville, I have been forced to ponder this. I would rather have been focusing on what is wrong with our Gator offense and sending my suggestions to Coach Addazio and Coach Meyer, but no, I have had to think about this most unusual occurrence.
The same guy who led the “Islam is of the Devil” fashion statement last year is at it again. By now you all know who he is and what he had planned to do. That’s because he sent out a press release! Can you guys just ignore him like you do the Westboro people and all the rest of the crazies in the world who send out press releases to their wacko parties? No, the media had to pick up on this one and then it got really crazy when Muslims from all over the world began to respond. There were threats of violence and protests in all kinds of places and people were hurt and killed because some small church Pastor released a statement about an event that was clearly planned to start some stuff.
If American Christians did that every time someone in another country decided to protest our religion or government, (they are often combined in the minds of many in distant countries), then we would be protesting something nearly every day. Let’s face it, there will be tremendous pressure on anyone who says or does anything against Islam, but almost no pressure on those who burn our flags or Bibles in other countries who are often the recipient of our aid and support. I’m not saying it’s right to burn either book or anyone else’s flag, I’m just saying it would be nice if the international media would pressure both sides equally. I’m sure the Afghan government leaders are not calling the Imam who is inciting the protests there to ask them to give up their plans to protest. I certainly don’t see the same kind of pressure being put on the Imam in NYC to move the cultural center because its location is offensive to some victims and their families of the 9-11 attacks. Let’s just make sure the playing field is level because both groups have the “right” as Americans to do what they have planned. But both groups should realize that having the “right” to do it is not the same as it being the “right” thing to do.
Thankfully, Saturday came and went without any major or minor event for that matter. The Pastor backed off his plans for now and maybe there is consideration of moving the NYC cultural center. Perhaps clearer heads will prevail in both situations. Then I can stop answering calls about how I feel about this or that thing that is affecting world politics and get back to answering questions about what’s really important. Gator Football! (Said with tongue firmly in cheeks!)
The same guy who led the “Islam is of the Devil” fashion statement last year is at it again. By now you all know who he is and what he had planned to do. That’s because he sent out a press release! Can you guys just ignore him like you do the Westboro people and all the rest of the crazies in the world who send out press releases to their wacko parties? No, the media had to pick up on this one and then it got really crazy when Muslims from all over the world began to respond. There were threats of violence and protests in all kinds of places and people were hurt and killed because some small church Pastor released a statement about an event that was clearly planned to start some stuff.
If American Christians did that every time someone in another country decided to protest our religion or government, (they are often combined in the minds of many in distant countries), then we would be protesting something nearly every day. Let’s face it, there will be tremendous pressure on anyone who says or does anything against Islam, but almost no pressure on those who burn our flags or Bibles in other countries who are often the recipient of our aid and support. I’m not saying it’s right to burn either book or anyone else’s flag, I’m just saying it would be nice if the international media would pressure both sides equally. I’m sure the Afghan government leaders are not calling the Imam who is inciting the protests there to ask them to give up their plans to protest. I certainly don’t see the same kind of pressure being put on the Imam in NYC to move the cultural center because its location is offensive to some victims and their families of the 9-11 attacks. Let’s just make sure the playing field is level because both groups have the “right” as Americans to do what they have planned. But both groups should realize that having the “right” to do it is not the same as it being the “right” thing to do.
Thankfully, Saturday came and went without any major or minor event for that matter. The Pastor backed off his plans for now and maybe there is consideration of moving the NYC cultural center. Perhaps clearer heads will prevail in both situations. Then I can stop answering calls about how I feel about this or that thing that is affecting world politics and get back to answering questions about what’s really important. Gator Football! (Said with tongue firmly in cheeks!)
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Is it still the Mid-Summer Classic?
Monday, April 26, 2010
TWOC
This Week On Campus has been quite an interesting week. Last Sunday the Evangelical Campus Ministries Association along with Unite Now presented the Night of Worship at UF for the spring semester. I'm not sure how many people can fit in the amphitheater near the Reitz Union, but it can't hold any more than were there last Sunday night. The place was packed. The worship leaders led in an amazing selection of songs, hymns and spiritual songs. The Word was read and Matt Gordon, lead pastor of Gator Christian Life presented the gospel in a very straight forward manner. There were about a dozen decisions of some type that we know of made that night. Most of the crowd of over 1200 people, my estimate so it could be way off or right on, were already believers so that wasn't too big of a surprise.
As I stood there listening and watching it dawned on me that this is a glimpse of what the community of saints will be like in heaven. There were people of various skin tones, languages, worship customs, dress, and age all singing together the praises of the one true God and His Son Jesus who had delivered them from the penalty of their sins. There were no Baptists, no Presbyterians, no Catholics, no Pentecostals, or any other denomination for that matter. Oh, they were there it's just that no one really cared to ask for denominational loyalty. There were no Americans, no Chinese, no African nationals, no Indian, or any other nationality present. There were people from many countries present, but that was not the defining characteristic for them in that place. No, there were just believers praising the Lord together for that brief moment in time. As I smiled, I couldn't help but wonder if the Lord was smiling as well as for one moment, his people were doing the right thing the right way.
This week also marked the NFL draft and saw nine Gator players selected. That is the second most in the history of the school. There were 10 selected one year but the draft was 12 rounds in those days. UF had more players selected than any other school in this year's draft with three going in the first round. Haden was a lock to go in the first round. Not bad for a kid who was a quarterback prior to arriving on the campus. The first of the Pouncey's was almost a sure thing to go in the first round as well. It's good to see if you know anything about the kid and the family at all. But the big question on that first night was whether anyone would take a chance on Tim Tebow in the first round. Jacksonville had their chance and passed. I know the Jaguars fans may be upset but it was the best thing for both parties that they didn't take Tim. If they did take Tim, he would have been expected to start right away and I don't believe he's quite ready for that given the status of their offensive line. So they would have paid big bucks to get him and then start him and watch their season struggle for the first year and then every talking head would have been saying that Tim Tebow wasn't ready to be a starting NFL QB. And they would have been right. So instead of getting a solid big time guy, the Jags take a chance on another player from Cal on the defensive line. That's why they remain the Jags my friends! So instead, the Broncos move up to select Tim and the talking heads on the four letter network go ape crazy. My favorite moment was Gruden taking Kiper down a notch over the whole Tebow issue. I am not a fan of John Gruden but for those few moments I became one. He's right, Tim is and always has been a winner and there's no reason to believe he won't be at the next level. Remember Gator fans that Tim didn't start at QB his freshman year at Florida either and that turned out all right didn't it? He will have his moments and he will get the chance to develop into a top flight NFL QB. The best thing is that the city of Denver just got better. The broncos may not be a better football team, but the city just got better by adding Tim as a part of it. The organization just got better because they have a guy who will bring incredible PR to their team. And the churches in the area just got stronger because now not only will Tim be there, but so will Bob and Pam on numerous occasions and that can only be positive for their efforts to reach their community for Christ. Once again people said he wouldn't be selected until later, that he didn't belong in the first round as a quarterback in the NFL, that he was this or that, but one day people will learn to never doubt Tim Tebow and more importantly to doubt the God he serves!
As I stood there listening and watching it dawned on me that this is a glimpse of what the community of saints will be like in heaven. There were people of various skin tones, languages, worship customs, dress, and age all singing together the praises of the one true God and His Son Jesus who had delivered them from the penalty of their sins. There were no Baptists, no Presbyterians, no Catholics, no Pentecostals, or any other denomination for that matter. Oh, they were there it's just that no one really cared to ask for denominational loyalty. There were no Americans, no Chinese, no African nationals, no Indian, or any other nationality present. There were people from many countries present, but that was not the defining characteristic for them in that place. No, there were just believers praising the Lord together for that brief moment in time. As I smiled, I couldn't help but wonder if the Lord was smiling as well as for one moment, his people were doing the right thing the right way.
This week also marked the NFL draft and saw nine Gator players selected. That is the second most in the history of the school. There were 10 selected one year but the draft was 12 rounds in those days. UF had more players selected than any other school in this year's draft with three going in the first round. Haden was a lock to go in the first round. Not bad for a kid who was a quarterback prior to arriving on the campus. The first of the Pouncey's was almost a sure thing to go in the first round as well. It's good to see if you know anything about the kid and the family at all. But the big question on that first night was whether anyone would take a chance on Tim Tebow in the first round. Jacksonville had their chance and passed. I know the Jaguars fans may be upset but it was the best thing for both parties that they didn't take Tim. If they did take Tim, he would have been expected to start right away and I don't believe he's quite ready for that given the status of their offensive line. So they would have paid big bucks to get him and then start him and watch their season struggle for the first year and then every talking head would have been saying that Tim Tebow wasn't ready to be a starting NFL QB. And they would have been right. So instead of getting a solid big time guy, the Jags take a chance on another player from Cal on the defensive line. That's why they remain the Jags my friends! So instead, the Broncos move up to select Tim and the talking heads on the four letter network go ape crazy. My favorite moment was Gruden taking Kiper down a notch over the whole Tebow issue. I am not a fan of John Gruden but for those few moments I became one. He's right, Tim is and always has been a winner and there's no reason to believe he won't be at the next level. Remember Gator fans that Tim didn't start at QB his freshman year at Florida either and that turned out all right didn't it? He will have his moments and he will get the chance to develop into a top flight NFL QB. The best thing is that the city of Denver just got better. The broncos may not be a better football team, but the city just got better by adding Tim as a part of it. The organization just got better because they have a guy who will bring incredible PR to their team. And the churches in the area just got stronger because now not only will Tim be there, but so will Bob and Pam on numerous occasions and that can only be positive for their efforts to reach their community for Christ. Once again people said he wouldn't be selected until later, that he didn't belong in the first round as a quarterback in the NFL, that he was this or that, but one day people will learn to never doubt Tim Tebow and more importantly to doubt the God he serves!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Should Tim Tebow Be In A SuperBowl Ad?
There is a great article in the Washington Post that you should read. Here's the link but please don't go read it until you finish my blog: http://bit.ly/apJPCA.
So here's my thoughts on the whole controversy. Why is it that a beer company can spend 15 million or more to run 5 commercials and nobody mentions that it is a waste of money, yet Focus on the Family honors a gift to buy the time and produce a spot that celebrates life and they are wasting money? I have been watching the Super Bowl since it first was shown on TV. I think that was the first one. Yes, I am that old but that is another story entirely. I can't tell you how many different beer commercials I have seen. I can remember a few like the Bud frogs. They are always funny and often very memorable. But they have never enticed me to pop a top on any can. I have never bought a product solely based on one of the SuperBowl commercials. I don't think anybody will be radically swayed in their convictions based on Tim's commercial either.
That's why I don't see what all the fuss is about. If you don't like what Tim and his mom, Pam, have to say, go to the fridge and get some more chips and dip. Flip the channel to something else for 30 seconds. Or just listen and see what their viewpoint is to see if you agree or not. Somehow we have become frightened of any opinion other than the politically correct one. But who determines what is politically correct. I guess it's ok to have a woman strip off part of her clothes to promote a domain registry business and the good ladies at NOW have no problem with that, but let a woman stand up and defend her choice to keep her child and the whole liberal world is in an uproar.
If you really are pro-choice, shouldn't you be glad that someone is speaking about making a choice. Oh wait, it's only pro-choice is they agree with your choice to end the life of the child. One editorial in the local college paper this week promoted the airing of a same-sex dating site as balancing the scale for CBS. I don't care if CBS wants to air that ad as long as they have to pony up the same amount for it. I can exercise my right to go to the bathroom during that span if necessary.
I think Tim and Pam have just as much of a right to be in a SuperBowl Ad standing up for what they believe in as does Charles Barkley for being in one for Taco Bell. I am sure Sir Charles is a big fan of the tacos that he is pitching. Tim may never have as much influence as he does right now and you can bet he is thankful that Pam decided that he was worth the risk to carry to term. Another person mentioned that she wondered if Pam would have thought so much of her choice if Tim had been born with some defect or turned out differently. Knowing Pam and Bob, I think the answer would have been yes on both accounts. It's just that most people would have never known about their love for that son because he probably wouldn't have been on ESPN every week for the last four years.
So here's my thoughts on the whole controversy. Why is it that a beer company can spend 15 million or more to run 5 commercials and nobody mentions that it is a waste of money, yet Focus on the Family honors a gift to buy the time and produce a spot that celebrates life and they are wasting money? I have been watching the Super Bowl since it first was shown on TV. I think that was the first one. Yes, I am that old but that is another story entirely. I can't tell you how many different beer commercials I have seen. I can remember a few like the Bud frogs. They are always funny and often very memorable. But they have never enticed me to pop a top on any can. I have never bought a product solely based on one of the SuperBowl commercials. I don't think anybody will be radically swayed in their convictions based on Tim's commercial either.
That's why I don't see what all the fuss is about. If you don't like what Tim and his mom, Pam, have to say, go to the fridge and get some more chips and dip. Flip the channel to something else for 30 seconds. Or just listen and see what their viewpoint is to see if you agree or not. Somehow we have become frightened of any opinion other than the politically correct one. But who determines what is politically correct. I guess it's ok to have a woman strip off part of her clothes to promote a domain registry business and the good ladies at NOW have no problem with that, but let a woman stand up and defend her choice to keep her child and the whole liberal world is in an uproar.
If you really are pro-choice, shouldn't you be glad that someone is speaking about making a choice. Oh wait, it's only pro-choice is they agree with your choice to end the life of the child. One editorial in the local college paper this week promoted the airing of a same-sex dating site as balancing the scale for CBS. I don't care if CBS wants to air that ad as long as they have to pony up the same amount for it. I can exercise my right to go to the bathroom during that span if necessary.
I think Tim and Pam have just as much of a right to be in a SuperBowl Ad standing up for what they believe in as does Charles Barkley for being in one for Taco Bell. I am sure Sir Charles is a big fan of the tacos that he is pitching. Tim may never have as much influence as he does right now and you can bet he is thankful that Pam decided that he was worth the risk to carry to term. Another person mentioned that she wondered if Pam would have thought so much of her choice if Tim had been born with some defect or turned out differently. Knowing Pam and Bob, I think the answer would have been yes on both accounts. It's just that most people would have never known about their love for that son because he probably wouldn't have been on ESPN every week for the last four years.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Tebow's Legacy may really be only a Legend
After the awesome Sugar Bowl game played by Tim Tebow and the Gator football team, I began to reflect on the career of Tim Tebow at the University of Florida. I have been asked by multiple media outlets about Tim, with questions ranging from his "real" character, his off the field life, and even his effect on Baptist faith on campus. I have written previously about his being a unique character on our campus and the reasons I think he has had a greater personal influence than any previous Gator athlete. This time my thoughts moved to a question that he was asked either prior to the broadcast or in the post game celebration, I don't remember which. The games are ending way to early in the morning for me these days. Which I think is a sign of my age rather than a change in broadcasting schedules! Anyway the question had to do with what Tim would like to be his "legacy" at UF.
As always, Tim gave a very thoughtful response. But after thinking about it for a while, I've come to the conclusion that the question is the wrong one. Because Tim cannot determine what his legacy will be at UF. Legacy is something we leave behind for others. What the interviewer really had in mind is what will the "legend" be of Tim. Put down those rocks Gator fans and hear me out on this one! Legend can be defined as a series of stories about someone or something or the person or thing at the center of such stories.
Tim has had his share of legendary performances including the last game of his career in New Orleans. The story of "the promise" will forever be immortalized by the plaque outside the football offices entrance. The Heisman Trophy will remain on display and there will surely be his name someday up on the ring of honor in the stadium. His jump passes will be the stuff of legend and before long everyone in the state will have been present when Tim beat the Sooners by himself in Miami. The things that Tim did are the stuff of legends. Two SEC championships, Two National Championships, more individual awards than most houses can hold, and more appearances on ESPN than Stuart Scott over the last four years are things that will never be forgotten.
But to evaluate a Legacy, we will have to wait a few years. We will have to wait and see if the players coming after Tim embrace the fans the way that he did. We will have to wait and see if they live out their faith and values like he did. We will have to wait and see if the future Gators play as hard, train as hard, and push each other as hard as Tim did. Because you see if those qualities that Tim have that made his a great leader do not get passed down to this year's team and the teams that come after this, then he will not have left a legacy. But he will always be a legend!
That leads me to ask myself the question, "Am I living to leave a legacy or make a legend of myself?" What about you? When you and I are gone from this earth will people remember us or will people embody the values and faith that we cherish. As I approach the last half of my life, I am beginning to care more about leaving a legacy than worrying about my legend. I have to admit at times in my earlier career it was the other way around. Perhaps that is the wisdom of age or maybe just a revelation that I don't want to waste my life. Either way I hope to invest in leaving a legacy for the remaining years of my life. Care to join me?
As always, Tim gave a very thoughtful response. But after thinking about it for a while, I've come to the conclusion that the question is the wrong one. Because Tim cannot determine what his legacy will be at UF. Legacy is something we leave behind for others. What the interviewer really had in mind is what will the "legend" be of Tim. Put down those rocks Gator fans and hear me out on this one! Legend can be defined as a series of stories about someone or something or the person or thing at the center of such stories.
Tim has had his share of legendary performances including the last game of his career in New Orleans. The story of "the promise" will forever be immortalized by the plaque outside the football offices entrance. The Heisman Trophy will remain on display and there will surely be his name someday up on the ring of honor in the stadium. His jump passes will be the stuff of legend and before long everyone in the state will have been present when Tim beat the Sooners by himself in Miami. The things that Tim did are the stuff of legends. Two SEC championships, Two National Championships, more individual awards than most houses can hold, and more appearances on ESPN than Stuart Scott over the last four years are things that will never be forgotten.
But to evaluate a Legacy, we will have to wait a few years. We will have to wait and see if the players coming after Tim embrace the fans the way that he did. We will have to wait and see if they live out their faith and values like he did. We will have to wait and see if the future Gators play as hard, train as hard, and push each other as hard as Tim did. Because you see if those qualities that Tim have that made his a great leader do not get passed down to this year's team and the teams that come after this, then he will not have left a legacy. But he will always be a legend!
That leads me to ask myself the question, "Am I living to leave a legacy or make a legend of myself?" What about you? When you and I are gone from this earth will people remember us or will people embody the values and faith that we cherish. As I approach the last half of my life, I am beginning to care more about leaving a legacy than worrying about my legend. I have to admit at times in my earlier career it was the other way around. Perhaps that is the wisdom of age or maybe just a revelation that I don't want to waste my life. Either way I hope to invest in leaving a legacy for the remaining years of my life. Care to join me?
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Quietness of Finals Week
It is Tuesday of Finals week here in Gainesville and honestly this campus is like a ghost town. The students that are here are locked away in the library or their dorm room or somewhere away from Facebook and text messages if such a place actually exists. The student center is eerily quiet. So much so that I can hear Carmen our janitor shuffling along while he is cleaning the upstairs at the far end of the building.
The traffic outside is even manageable today. And in the last three hours there has not been one siren blaring emergency vehicle speeding down university avenue. That my friends may be the biggest Christmas miracle of all! If only they were not working on the substructure right outside our building, this would have the makings for a very peaceful day.
The only problem is that I miss the chaos. I miss the usual suspects running through the building. The folks playing boggy-pong in the game room making those loud noises when a great shot is made or somebody gets pegged really hard bring the building to life. The subtle snoring sounds of freshmen asleep on the couches out front. Not to pick on the freshmen but the upperclassmen have discovered the upstairs couches so as not to be disturbed until their ipods or cell phone clocks provide the needed wake up service. It is almost lunch time and I doubt we hear the almost daily banter about where should one go for a good lunch or at least some good comfort food.
The quiet and my restlessness with it reminds me of why I love my job. I really enjoy the daily interaction with the students. I miss the laughter and the tears at times. I miss their questions, even if the less than intelligent ones sometimes drive me crazy. I miss it because I know that the quiet of finals week means there are some of the students that I may never see again. That is a bad thing most of the time! It means that another semester is coming to an end which means I have less time with some of my favorite students and my daughter who is a student here and my son who is graduate student here along with his new wife. I know that there is one less semester to influence students to grow in Christ and live in community with one another.
But the good news is that if the Lord allows me to live three more weeks, we get to start a whole new semester. With new challenges ahead and new questions to be explored, it brings with it a fresh wind of the Spirit. So I can endure the few days of quiet which lead to a couple of weeks of vacation because of the hope and promise of the Spring semester! Which is probably when I will next post an entry unless something major happens in the meantime.
So if you read this I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year! Oh and Go Gators, beat Cincy!
The traffic outside is even manageable today. And in the last three hours there has not been one siren blaring emergency vehicle speeding down university avenue. That my friends may be the biggest Christmas miracle of all! If only they were not working on the substructure right outside our building, this would have the makings for a very peaceful day.
The only problem is that I miss the chaos. I miss the usual suspects running through the building. The folks playing boggy-pong in the game room making those loud noises when a great shot is made or somebody gets pegged really hard bring the building to life. The subtle snoring sounds of freshmen asleep on the couches out front. Not to pick on the freshmen but the upperclassmen have discovered the upstairs couches so as not to be disturbed until their ipods or cell phone clocks provide the needed wake up service. It is almost lunch time and I doubt we hear the almost daily banter about where should one go for a good lunch or at least some good comfort food.
The quiet and my restlessness with it reminds me of why I love my job. I really enjoy the daily interaction with the students. I miss the laughter and the tears at times. I miss their questions, even if the less than intelligent ones sometimes drive me crazy. I miss it because I know that the quiet of finals week means there are some of the students that I may never see again. That is a bad thing most of the time! It means that another semester is coming to an end which means I have less time with some of my favorite students and my daughter who is a student here and my son who is graduate student here along with his new wife. I know that there is one less semester to influence students to grow in Christ and live in community with one another.
But the good news is that if the Lord allows me to live three more weeks, we get to start a whole new semester. With new challenges ahead and new questions to be explored, it brings with it a fresh wind of the Spirit. So I can endure the few days of quiet which lead to a couple of weeks of vacation because of the hope and promise of the Spring semester! Which is probably when I will next post an entry unless something major happens in the meantime.
So if you read this I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year! Oh and Go Gators, beat Cincy!
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