All Because of Pickles

I usually live life with enthusiasm, optimism and determination but I realized tonight (or early this morning) that my enthusiasm for life may be too overwhelming for others. I went to a football game tonight and purchased a sub sandwich at the concession stand. I didn't realize it had pickles until I got back to the bleachers. I removed the pickles and pitched them over the back of the bleachers. I think I got a few glances, but at the time I honestly didn't think much about it. I would never throw a cup or wrapper like that but I think food is harmless since the rodents or birds will get it later. Have you ever had a moment where you said to yourself "did I do that!?" I seriously have been awake since 3 AM thinking how I must have looked to others.  I know there are worse things I could have done but this really bothers me to think how I must have looked.

All because of pickles I have started this blog. Many times I look back over my day and replay events in my head and ask if I could have handled it differently and if I handled things in a Godly way.

As I tossed and turned, I started replaying the entire night in my head.  I am a cheerleader at heart (and also a cheer coach) so I tend to actually cheer and be loud at games.  It wasn't until my husband told me to change my pitch that I realized I must have been extra loud. Do I really think that the players can hear me? Maybe... Maybe not.  But imagine if nobody cheered or yelled from the crowd because they didn't think the players would hear them. We wouldn't together create the noise that makes a football game a football game. I don't know why my pitch was so high but it must have been annoying enough for my husband to say something. So I lowered my pitch and second guessed myself the rest of the game. However I didn't stop cheering for the boys.

It was a good game by the way. I don't think these boys could win without enthusiasm and determination and heart. There is one particular player that is admirable in his determination to never give up. He is inspiring to his other teammates. I want to be like him. I want to be inspiring but not obnoxious.  There's a fine line, isn't there?

I have always told my cheerleaders that we are all special and unique and that God created us all different for a purpose. What would the world be like if we all excelled at the same thing? Imagine if everyone knew how to do my job of troubleshooting computer problems. There wouldn't be the teachers to teach, the preachers to preach, the mechanics to fix the cars, the plumbers to fix the water pipes, the astronauts to go to the moon, the farmers to feed the nation, or the psychologists to help us figure out what makes our brains tick. Life would be pretty boring.

I know God made me just the way I am and I also know it's okay to look back on my day and evaluate it to see if I could have reflected Him better. If I owe an apology, I will ask for forgivenesses and promise to do better the next time. But I also realize that I can't apologize for my enthusiasm and zest for life. To do so would be to smother the personality that God gave me. My only hope is that I can use that enthusiasm to better serve His purpose.