i liKe tHis guY

my opinion surrounding kirk herbstreit bears no relevance whatsoever in society at large, yet based on my two (all be them extremely limited) encounters with the guy, i feel the need to submit it anyways. thumbs up to this guy as far as im concerned. i know he happens to be a local celebrity here, around columbus, which in actuality takes him down a few notches in my book as OSU grads and fans can be and are quite annoying (although this is slowly but quite surely changing as my time in columbus extends...). that being said, my opinion regarding him began to unfold probably 7 or 8 months ago after he and his family dined at moretti's, my former and current place of employment. he and his wife came in and ate dinner with their 4 boys...all of them probably under 7 years old or so. even if it had not been the herbstreit fam, they would have impressed the heck out of me because of how freaking well behaved every one of their boys was. im sure my respect and awe stems from the fact that i have one of these little energy balls and the fact that all four of them were respectful and patient and looked me in the eye when they spoke and minded their ps and qs is something to be applauded. i dont know, it just seemed like a cool family to me, one who had certainly not let the fame and fortune (even if it is rather local) go to their head. their tip was rather generous as well (which didn't hurt in terms of the formation of my opinion). so anyways, time passed and i didnt think much about the herbstreits until a week or so ago at work. im setting up the patio outside (umm, duh) and i notice this guy pulling one of those ride behind the bike seats that holds 2 little kids, and then 2 older kids following him on their own bikes. they all pull over and park their bikes on the sidewalk and head on into the local icecream shop. as they came back out i looked again and low and behold, its the herbstreits, but only kirk with his 4 boys on a father/son bike outing. how cute is that? this, perhaps because i am a woman, just seemed to grab my heart as i realized that he just seems like such a great dad. now, my opinion is based on somewhat limited observations of the guy and could be a total misread, but i think it is a fair assumption to say that amidst all the espn college gameday hoopla, kirk truly loves his kids as he a)has taught them the ins and outs of respect and manners and b)gives them the time of day (even if it was only the one day in which i happened to see him all together). these and only these are what i have formulated my opinion on, i know nothing else about this local celeb. so until otherwise proven to me, kirk herbreit is a swell guy:)

hMmm...

perhaps it is because ive always been on the "moving" end of things, the one leaving and transitioning into something, somewhere new or maybe its because until recently ive always had an ability to flee from any emotions that begin to make their way to the surface, or it may be because ive never experienced again, until recently, friendships that are real and deep and meaningful but whatever the reason, im experiencing a transition that is really hard. im thinking that the third proposition is most likely the culprit as the past 4 years have opened my eyes to what true friendship and love looks like. community, rather Christ's community is a beautiful thing and friendships cultivated through time result in a love that runs deep. which is why tonite seems particularly hard. the hicks family has moved this weekend. although it is only cincinnati to which they've gone, i guess the reality that they will no longer be within 20 minutes of a last minute ice cream social or a random lunch meeting is sinking in. i am unable to adequately describe what this family has meant to joey and me the last couple of years other then just that, family. im suspecting those who've experienced Christ's love through His people in the past, probably have a little glimpse into those who are moving on.... they are truly examples of Christ's love expressed here on earth and i am so thankful for all of them. i know that i will see them often as well as eternally, and this is all very good. reality stands though and i will miss them and miss them dearly. love to you all....

thOrnS

"there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness' "
2 Corinthians 12:7-9

so i have a thorn. thorns can probably have multiple identities, mine is of human form. i keep thinking that its been pulled out and yet there are consistent reminders that it is still there. it is most surely tormenting at times and ive had many a convo's with God asking Him to take it far away. and He has, on certain terms, which rest in His hands. He continually takes this thorn further and further away yet inklings of it still exist. and so as it resurfaces each time in smaller and smaller doses, i need to remember that thorns exist for a reason. they are not meant as only a source of torment, though they can feel as if this is their sole purpose. no, they are avenues of experiencing only more of God's grace. they are circumstances which strengthen our faith. i need to believe this, which i do not do most of the time. but i need to come back to it. for only His grace is sufficient. His power is perfect and its through weaknesses and thorns that that power can and will be displayed. so here's to thorns and to the only power capable of their destruction (who just happened to be wearing a crown of them upon His death, hmm...)