I attended my first baby shower last weekend, and I have to say it was the most unconventional event I’ve ever attended. There were more men there than women, and playoff football and spades were in high demand — I told you it was unconventional.
Three of my friends who attended are diehard Colts fans. In their eyes, the Colts can do no wrong. But, while they started off the evening overly animated, screaming their fanatic devotion to the world, by the end of the night, their mood had decidedly changed. You see, the Colts lost the game, leaving the revelers hearts broken into a million pieces.
As I watched them trudge out of the house and off into the night, a profound point instantly struck me. How many times have we put our all into something or someone, only to have things go terribly wrong? Our hearts get put through the ringer and we find ourselves lost, disappointed, and in despair. Because of that experience, we refuse to let go of the pain, keeping it as reminder of what will never happen to us again. “I’ll never set myself up for disappointment again!” That’s what we tell ourselves. But then I think back to my friends. Even though their team lost, I’m sure they’ll be right back in the mix next season … with just as much fervent enthusiasm for the Colts. They won’t let the pain of the past hinder the future’s endless possibilities. And neither should you. You can’t win, if you don’t play the game. So don’t quit when things don’t go your way. Your next time may very well be your best time. Can I get a witness? –the lost sheep
