6 A.M. Basketball

If I had to pin down the one thing that I’ve enjoyed the most since arriving in Dawson, above all it would be their hospitality. The sense of belonging that exudes from this community is unmatched by any other setting I’ve experienced before. The welcome they’ve extended has been nothing but open, warm and full of Christ’s love and acceptance. We have been truly humbled by their familial embrace and continue to be awed by the various acts of kindness they continue to extend toward us.

One such act of kindness came in the form of an invitation. This invitation was to play basketball on Tuesday and Thursday mornings with other men from the congregation – at 6 o’clock in the morning. I vaguely remembered hearing of such an insane opportunity when I first arrived here. I grimaced. I winced. I shuddered at the thought of rolling out of bed in the wee hours of the day to engage in an intense workout of my muscles, lungs and hand-eye coordination. I have to admit, my first response was to decline the invitation. “Look, I love to play basketball, don’t get me wrong, but not at 6 in the morning,” I replied. After some gentle prodding and encouragement, my hesitancy withered and I agreed to give it a try.

I had a great time and haven't stopped playing since - even after I left one morning with the largest blister I've ever had in my life. It was right on the ball of my foot, and I am not exaggerating - it was the size of a golf ball! Oh, and it had already burst. Needless to say, I was out a game or two after that.

In a strange way though, the early morning basketball has kind of ignited me lately. Aside from getting into more of a routine physically, I have also settled into a nice daily devotional time, getting a little more spiritually fit. And my reading hasn't stopped at the Bible either, I am currently on a frenzy - from multiple pregnancy books to The Shallows: What the Internet is doing to our brains to Brian Mclaren's A New Christianity: 10 Questions that are transforming the faith - I am locked into the written word.

I haven't really missed watching television - we are going into our second month without tuning into a single prime time show. I have found a way to check out a few Minnesota Vikings and Twins games (dropping hints with co-workers with large screen TV's, using the community room at the apartment, etc.) We have watched a few PBS programs and have surprisingly found them enjoyable. As for time with real people, well, Rebecca and I get out for a daily walk and on top of all of my ministry related tasks, I've also been getting to watch plenty of high school sports through the Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks' football and volleyball teams. Sure, we've watched several movies (August Rush - SEE IT) and continue to enjoy the old standby DVD collection like Arrested Development and 30 Rock - laughter is after all, the best way to stay healthy.

I guess what I am trying to say is that all in all, life is good. Now, if the Twins could find a way to break the Yankees' spell and win a playoff game or two, life will be GOLDEN. Go Twins!