PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

April 28, 2024

THE JOYS OF LIFE

The following is a portion of a prayer of commendation that I frequently used when officiating at funerals.  “Especially uphold those who will most keenly feel the pain of this death and this parting.  Patiently heal their sorrow.  … Strengthen the love that binds them to one another. … Let not the sorrow of death rob us of the joy of life.”  This prayer, especially the last sentence, can serve well for anyone who is experiencing pain, loss, sorrow, disappointment, and separation.

The Purdue University men’s basketball team ended on a disappointing and painful note.  Following the defeat to the University of Connecticut in the National Championship Game, the tendency was to dwell on the loss and all the reasons for the defeat.  Since the expectations were high, the consequences were hard to take.  At such times it is important to remember that we should not let our disappointments rob us of the joys of life.

The 2023-2924 collegiate men’s basketball season is well stocked with many things for a Purdue basketball fan to have joy.  The team won a record 34 games.  The graduating senior class had the most wins, 110, of a senior team in the school’s history.  Purdue was 10-1 against nationally ranked teams.  In one stretch they beat three in a row.  They had a perfect record at home.

For four yeas I had the privilege of sitting in the stands watching Zach Edy do his magic.  Zach was a two time Big Ten and National player of the year.  He set all kinds of school records.  As he ends his career, Edy is mentioned in the same breath with Shaquille O’Neil, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Walton. Not only was Zach a great player, he was even a better person.  He would spend hours signing kids autographs. Edy was a hard worker, humble, and a wonderful role model.

                The second sentence of the prayer of commendation mentioned above says “Strengthen the love that binds them together.”  From everything I have heard the Purdue basketball team was a close-nit group.  Outside of basketball they did many things together.  Zach Edy whose mother rented a place in West Lafayette while he was a student would have the whole team over for a meal.  This strong bond among the members of the team would have been a real service to them in dealing with the loss to Connecticut.

A song that was popular when I was growing up in Ohio in the 50’s was “Count Your Blessings.”  The verses talk about times when we are tempest-tossed, burdened with a load of care, and times of conflict.  At such times the song instructs us to “Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings see what God has done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings, see what God has done, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”  I Thessalonians puts it this way, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances (I Thessalonians 5:16-17a).”

Following the loss to Connecticut on Monday, April 8, was a good time for Purdue fans to count their blessings and give thanks for all the enjoyment and pleasure the basketball team has brought this year.  The 2023-2034 basketball season was truly a remarkable one for the Purdue men’s boilermakers and for all of its fans.

(Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)