On Monday April 8, millions will look into the sky to catch a glimpse of a total eclipse of the sun. We are fortunate, I think, to be in “the path of totality.” As a result, we will have countless visitors, some travelling hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to be here to see it. Everyone will be standing ready with special their solar-eclipse glasses to view this event.
Don’t forget your glasses!
This is your opportunity to witness a cosmic event from your own backyard.
But here is the interesting thing, we call it a total eclipse, and yet the sun will still be shining and you will still be able to see the sunshine.
What you will NOT see is total darkness, but rather the sun still shining but ‘blocked’ from our full view.
That is the picture I want you to remember!
Even in the midst of a total eclipse, the sun shines and cannot be shut out. Which reminds me of something that Jesus once said:
You are the light of the world — like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
Jesus calls us to be light in the world. Always shining.
We are to shine in a dark world with our actions of love.
Now it can seem in a dark world that everything is working to keep you from shining your light, but that isn’t true!
So on Monday April 8, when the sun is obscured. Put on your glasses.
Look to the sky and see what it looks like when the sun continues to shine.
And then imagine what it looks like when you choose to shine your light of faith, hope, and love. There is nothing in this world that can keep your light from shining.
As a matter of fact, when you keep shining in the face of obstacles in this world that try to stop it – you might discover that millions will gather to watch your light shine!
So let your light shine … and enjoy the cosmic reminder.
Finally … I could share so much more … but I wanted to say something …
I grew up in Indiana loving basketball – I think the two are arguably one and the same. I had no loyalties just a love for the game. Many a winter evening was spent watching Channel 4 and IU and Purdue Basketball. All that changed in the Fall of 1982 when I got my early acceptance letter from Purdue – the only school I had applied to – there was no back up plan!
From that moment forward, I bled black and gold.
As a freshmen in the Fall of ’83, I went to my first Purdue football game. My Dad attended a game that fall and became a season ticket holder from 1984 – 2018. Our family was now all in on the Old Gold and Black.
My freshman year the Football team was invited to the Peach Bowl. A bunch of us talked about taking the drive and going to the game, but I said, “let’s wait ‘til next year. We can go to an even better bowl game!” Yeah. If you know, you know. The next bowl game was 1997 Alamo Bowl – and yes I was there!
That Fall Basketball season rolled around and thanks to friends that understood the system. Basketball games became the norm – thanks Dan! Even throw in some crazy road trips to away games and the stories grow (and are mostly true!).
Mix in 4 years of Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting on Wednesdays in the Media Room of Mackey Arena. I will never forget the times that Coach Keady took time to speak to our group. How many hours over the years have I spent in that place?
How many miles driving back and forth? Amazingly only stopped once by the police and I wasn’t driving (thanks for taking one for the team – Jeff Bundy)!
Now I am still the only one in my family to go to Purdue, but the colors run deep in the family. In addition to Football, we have had season basketball tickets since the early 90s.
Riley wasn’t even a year old when he attended his first game – an IU/Purdue game. When he was born, I knew the words to two songs – Amazing Grace and the Purdue Fight Song. He was born to be a Boilermaker.
Sherry married into this craziness and has been along for the ride.
Shortly after Riley was born, Purdue was working towards another Big Ten Title and I would watch the games from the confines of the NICU at St Vincent. One evening while out, I was harassed by an IU fan leading up to the big game (I was wearing Purdue stuff!). I was tired and wasn’t in the mood (my preemie kid was in the hospital fighting for his life).
I looked him dead in the eyes and said, “Prove that you have earned the right and I will take whatever you want to dish out.”
“Prove it?”, he said.
I responded, “Yeah, Prove it. I am a Purdue Grad. A Season ticket holder and a John Purdue Club member. What are your credentials?”
Silence (you have permission to use this if needed – it works!).
Yes, we carry a chip and a burden, but we have earned the right to carry them!
Over the years so many of the game day trips were just Dad and I.
He would often say, “The ride home is so much shorter after a win!”
Unfortunately there have been disappointments (and long car rides) along the way, but always great teams and players. Every year brought hope and anticipation.
As soon as the basketball schedule comes out … it goes into my calendar.
Home. Away. Doesn’t matter. I am going to root for this team.
Because some day has to finally come … doesn’t it?
But then the heartbreak. I don’t have to tell you about the heartbreak or the promise. Through the years … so many great players … great teams … two great coaches … and did I mention all of the Big Ten Championships? The 3 Amigos, Big Dog, Baby Boilers, Cardinal, Hummel, Haas, Hammons, Biggie, Trevion, Carsen … each one brought hope and promise … and did I mention lots of wins and Big Ten Titles!
Mackey Arena has become a beast of a place to play … and place where other team’s dreams come to die … most of the time. A place that is our home away for home.
Whose House? Our House!
I used to say the only other people that understand Purdue Fans are Cubs fans, but then they went and won a World Series … and we still came up just short.
It is called March Madness for a reason. In college basketball legacies are made in March. Purdue truly understands March Madness supplemented by great sadness.
We carry it with us … we know it is there, but we remain Ever Grateful Ever True.
And then this year … this team … these players … there was something different.
We were once again filled with hope, but ready for history to play out … because it always does. There was the gauntlet of the early non conference schedule and wins that had always been losses in the past (or at least that’s how we felt).
We watched it all on TV and we were there for nearly every home game. Even got Mom and Dad to a game because they too wanted to experience this team – this season. Plus friends past and present showed up … because this somehow felt different.
We stayed with everyone else on Senior Day … because we didn’t want this to end. And even Riley 27 years later … wanted to go to every game. He too was caught up in being a fan … being a Boilermaker. Plus he felt a connection to this team like no other team. Afterall, Riley and Mason are both New Castle grads … and Riley played Pep Band for those early days of his run as a Trojan.
And then … did you hear it last Sunday afternoon?
That was the cathartic cry of Purdue faithful everywhere.
It was part celebration … part exhale … part relief.
This was healing and pure joy.
That loud noise on the NE side of Indy was Sherry and I with shouts of joy mixed with relief … finally … finally.
So forgive us … for shedding a few tears of joy (mixed with relief) and grief for those no longer here with us to share in this moment.
It is off to Phoenix for one more road trip.
Sort of … I had tickets. I sold them to one of my oldest friends and his son (a Purdue grad). I know they will create memories decades in the making. I still have all the memories from our family packing up and heading off to Pasadena for a Rose Bowl Game. I am happy to be part of creating those memories and getting to hear the stories for another family – a son who is a grad … and a Dad who has become a fan.
I will enjoy the game from the comfort of home with the same routine.
There will be the same anxiety, but this is different.
This anxiety is wanting more … daring to dream of what might be.
But this anxiety is tempered with joy.
There is still work to be done.
But this has been a great ride. I wouldn’t change the ride. I love being a Boilermaker.
I just wish it hadn’t taken so long … there were so many others that deserved this chance to shine for a moment.
We will enjoy this one … and come Fall … we will dream again.
Faith Matters. 