March Madness

One of the many things that I learned from my mom was how to rebound. No, she was not a basketball player (although she did love the Chicago Bulls in their hey-day in the 1980s). But, boy, she could rebound through the adversities of life. She could not control the shots against her, but she could control how she responded to them. She was ready in position and in attitude. One rebound at a time.

One of her platitudes was "if life gives you lemons, make a lemonade." There are few who were as creative as she was in turning a situation inside out.

Bill and I went to an economics conference last night, and I thought of her. One of the speakers said that in the Chinese language, the symbol for crisis is the same as that for opportunity. It is all how you look at it. And if you are ready.

Many a basketball game has been won or lost by rebounds, turning the opponent's shots into an opportunity to change the direction of the ball. Rebounds don't just happen. The players are ready. They have practiced. They keep their eye on the ball and seek to grab it out of thin air, even when it is not theirs to take. And the victory is achieved one rebound at a time.

My prayer list right now is filled with dear friends who are struggling in life where it appears they are faced against an entire team of 7 foot 2 inch giants. But their strength doesn't come in stature, nor in "natural" ability. Their strength and readiness come from their walk with the LORD. Storms and droughts and times in the wilderness will face us all. The significant difference is a relationship with the LORD God, Creator of the universe.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose trust is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17. 7-8

Press on, friends.