The rules as a young woman and dating and the rules now that I'm who I am 20+ years later are much different...wisdom and my maturity in Jesus has impressed upon me the serious nature of this new adventure.  Even if I had not been widowed, parented, and blessed with a special needs child, the rules would have been vastly different just because of the passing of time.  The lush, level field of my youth is now a very different landscape.  I'm having to consider each and every step, before I even take that step...I have to remember that there is no "I" in "TEAM,"  my team being myself, my faith, my children and the other "player."

The consideration of another's feelings before rushing headlong into the game really wasn't even a thought...if it felt good you just went after it...if you got out or got someone else out...it was all a part of the game...there were winners and there were losers and hopefully you were the one who was on the winning end.  Not so now, winning isn't the end result I am so much concerned with as how I'm playing the game....and its not about playing anymore, its about participating in something with others, working together, strategy (faith) and finishing as a team not as just a single player. 

There's practice, lots of it before you even think of donning the "uniform."  There's training...probably the toughest part of all of this is that I need to listen to the Coach (Jesus), take notes, see His vision before I take off with my own skills, dreams and desires trying to win the game.   Never thought I'd be put into the game at point in my life, but here I am.  I feel optimistic about the outcome of the game, but its going to be full 9 innings...God willing. 

The rules as a young woman and dating and the rules now that I'm who I am 20+ years later are much different...wisdom and my maturity in Jesus has impressed upon me the serious nature of this new adventure.  Even if I had not been widowed, parented, and blessed with a special needs child, the rules would have been vastly different just because of the passing of time.  The lush, level field of my youth is now a very different landscape.  I'm having to consider each and every step, before I even take that step...I have to remember that there is no "I" in "TEAM,"  my team being myself, my faith, my children and the other "player."

The consideration of another's feelings before rushing headlong into the game really wasn't even a thought...if it felt good you just went after it...if you got out or got someone else out...it was all a part of the game...there were winners and there were losers and hopefully you were the one who was on the winning end.  Not so now, winning isn't the end result I am so much concerned with as how I'm playing the game....and its not about playing anymore, its about participating in something with others, working together, strategy (faith) and finishing as a team not as just a single player. 

There's practice, lots of it before you even think of donning the "uniform."  There's training...probably the toughest part of all of this is that I need to listen to the Coach (Jesus), take notes, see His vision before I take off with my own skills, dreams and desires trying to win the game.   Never thought I'd be put into the game at point in my life, but here I am.  I feel optimistic about the outcome of the game, but its going to be full 9 innings...God willing.