Anxiety & Variety

by Adam Kronberger / Superintendent

I was given tickets to the Beaver football game this past weekend. My 13-year old daughter was eager to be my companion which made the trip even more enjoyable.  Despite the windy and rainy conditions, we found our seats just fine decked out in full rain gear. As halftime approached, we were anxious for our planned visit to one of the Dutch Bros stands located in the stadium. Apparently the stormy weather was great for business, as the line stretched FOREVER! There must have been over 100 people waiting in line.  What were we going to do...this hot treat was practically as important as the game itself!

Fortunately, I remembered a Dutch Bros near the OSU bookstore just outside the stadium. I thought that the line certainly  must be shorter there, and we needed to stretch our legs anyway. Indeed I had been correct, and within ten minutes we were sipping on our large sweet and caffeinated beverages. When we returned to the stadium as halftime neared its end, the security personnel gave us an apologetic look. “You can’t bring that in here. Sorry.” I had forgotten about their stadium beverage policy – NO outside beverages. I looked at my daughter and we almost cried...literally. Ten seconds ago, life had almost been perfect – we were at a NCAA football game as best friends in crazy weather with an awesome drink! Now we just stared at each other shell-shocked. Our ears were drawn to the sound of the band, cheering fans, and football players just inside the stadium. Our hands and our mouths were drawn to the warm drinks we had just spent $10 on. What were we going to do?

Each day brings its own excitement and variety. In my morning quiet time, I have gotten in the habit of specifically asking God to help me be prepared for the day’s surprises, because I know they are coming. When I know they are coming, they no longer are surprises, and I am more able to meet the challenge with joy and wisdom. A verse I often review in the morning is “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad” (Proverbs 12:25). There is much to be anxious about in our daily lives. I am so appreciative of people who always seem ready with a ‘good word’ in the midst of trials. I want to be one of those types of people, and part of the plan is my morning time with God getting ready for the day.

As the caffeine began to kick in from the first sips of my Dutch Bros Kicker drink, and I allowed the fruit of the Holy Spirit to overcome my flesh, an idea popped into my head. “Brooklyn, why don’t we walk back to that now-empty Dutch Bros and watch some of the 3rd quarter on their big TV’s warm and dry?” Our downcast faces turned into elated awareness that we might have just stumbled upon a new Kronberger ritual. We enjoyed our warm and dry intermission, eventually returning to our seats, with nothing but smiles to the security personnel.  
 
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– Adam Kronberger / Superintendent