Reflections From Sunday Evening

When I was in high school I attended the N.A.I.A. basketball tournament for the first time.  It was either 1970 or 1971, I am not sure.  This is the small college tournament.  They played a tournament with a 32 team field in one week.  As time past I kept going to the games once a week most years.  Over time a group of us would take a day and watch the full 8 game round.  When our son, Bobby was in elementary school he made the trip.  I recall going to eat and him eating half a chicken and lasting until sometime late in the evening before he dozed off.
I always had this idea that it would be really neat to go to the entire tournament some day.  But it always seemed like there were things to do and I was glad to get one day at Municipal Auditorium.  Until this year.  I decided to take the time and go to the tournament.  So I have watched all or parts of 28 basketball games over the past four day.  There are three more to go with the semi-finals and finals this week.
I realize that this is not as much basketball as Buck and Betty Farmer watched over the 69 years they attended each game of the NAIA tournament.  I believe they were married in 1946.  In 1947 they went to the tournament and went to every game ( with one exception - When the tournament was moved to Tulsa for 8 years they drove home to watch the championship game on tv one year).
They have paid tribute to the Farmer's at this year's tournament.  Betty passed away about three years ago and Buck died this past fall.  Talk about a legacy!
I have a late start to try and catch up with them.  I think if I will go to all the games until I am 131 years old I will catch their record.  I better get a different goal.
There may be some other things to find in what the Farmer's did.
Loyalty.  Their loyalty to the small colleges and the game of basketball is great.  Maybe I can have a similar loyalty to the Church.  I'm off to a pretty good start with that.
Support.  They supported something they loved.  How may I continue to support those I love, people and groups?
Commitment.  69 years.  Wow.  What about a lifetime of commitment to Christ and His call?
Joy.  People were met.  Friendships were forged.  Basketball can provide some wonderful opportunities.  May each of us find true joy in worship, service and Christian growth.
One other thing about the NAIA tournament.  It was begun in 1937 by James Naismith, the "inventor" of basketball, Frank Cramer, a pioneer in athletic training products, and Emil Liston of Baker University.  Yes, a Baker man founded a basketball tournament that has been played for 80 years.
So that's it for my down week enjoying game after game of basketball.
It's been a great day.  I hope you've had a great day too.
steve