I’m from Illinois, but I’m not a Bears fan, or a Bulls fan, or a White Sox fan, or even a Cubs fan; but my brother is.
Regardless of the fact he’s lived in Arizona since he was four, he’s a diehard Cubbie.
I’m talking about for as long as I can remember, my little brother has sported around a Cubs’ hat, or jersey.
He’s gone to every Spring Training game since he’s had a job and could afford to take the day off.
He’s flown to Chicago, not to visit family, but just to see a game.
His children have probably all worn the same Chicago Cubs’ onesie.
Ex-girlfriend and ex- wife call to congratulate him on the Cubs success this year.
Yes, to know my brother, is to know he loves his Cubs. He’s not one who has suddenly come out of the woodwork like some long lost relative who’s heard you won the lottery.
He’s the real deal.
I told him recently, I’ve been watching the series. I started thinking maybe they had chance until the fourth game and their third loss. I went into the fifth game thinking they didn’t have a shot, but after a couple of runs I quickly got my hopes up.
He chuckled at me, “Oh, don’t do that, Kim. You never want to get your hopes up.”
He’s so funny. He has no faith in his team but he’s loyal to them just the same.
I guess after years and years of getting so close, but never close enough, can take a toll on you. A bit of a rollercoaster ride I guess you could say. Or maybe they’re just predictable. He know they won’t make it far. They don’t disappoint.
I’d like to say he is a believer of Christ, like he’s a fan of the Cubs. I think the ride is probably about the same. A bit of a rollercoaster.
Some days God shows up on time and saves the day, and sometimes he doesn’t.
Sometimes you’re left hurt and confused wondering what just happened. Did he even show up?
Sometimes it feels like you’ve hit it out of the park and sometimes you’re just walking around the bases.
It’s interesting though, whether I watch the Cubs play or not, they still do…
every year…
every year in Chicago since 1876…
even though they have only won two World Series titles; 1907 and 1908.
That’s a long time to be playing and not be winning.
It’s interesting because after all these years of letting their fans down, they’re still here. They still play.
So this leads me to believe my brother is capable of believing in something he doesn’t have hope in.
Whether the Cubs win tonight or not, he will still be a fan tomorrow.
I know this, because they’ve never even been in the World Series during his entire lifetime, and yet…he still watches them. He still roots for them. He still believes in them.
My prayer is one day God will show up in his life’s World Series and it will be a perfect game. No hitters. No batters walk.
He’ll be called out of the bull pin and my brother will see he’s got heat. He’ll see even though he doesn’t know what pitch he’s got up his sleeve, it’s going to be over the plate. God delivers. You can trust him. Dare I say he’s predictable?
And one day my brother can have hope in something he believes in,
year after year, after year, after year…
Yeah, that’s my prayer. That would be pretty cool. Cuz, you know, I’ve been a fan of my brother for a lot of years. His entire lifetime.
I can’t wait to watch that series too.
Growing Faith 