Big-Hearted Guys
What a fun treat Ray and I had yesterday! The Tennessee Titans, Nashville’s professional football team, provided lunch for several cancer patients and a companion each—husbands, wives, moms, dads, aunts, etc. They provided us with Whataburgers, chips, chocolate chip cookies, and drinks. It was really fun.
I don’t remember ever feeling so small! I certainly felt true to my grandma name of Little. This picture doesn’t quite capture the feel of the moment. Ray and I both felt it. I felt like, “I have never been around such massive people.” It was a very strange felling.
My brave and smart husband brought along his yellow legal pad to get autographs. He has gathered quite a collection over the years. As far as we remember, these were the first athletes. My brother, Steve, is a big fan, so I was especially excited to tell him about it.
The group included four Titans players and a few of their staff members. I was moved by their genuineness. They were there to bless and to serve. Everyone I talked to was in the moment. No one seemed in a hurry. A friend told me that they often do this sort of service, and that several players have their own charities. I read on a Titans website about Titans Tuesdays. I learned that Tuesday is the only day off for professional football players. The Titans use Tuesdays to serve the community. They visit area hospitals and a nursing home and do other acts of service. We are thankful that on this week’s Tuesday, we got to be beneficiaries of their service.
A couple we have gotten to know during Ray’s round of treatments talked later about what a nice event it was. We spoke about there still being good in the world. The event was one of those times that make you remember that we are all created in the image of God.
Genuine. In the moment. Serving. Those are good goals for our children, too.
. . . whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving
by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things
God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to Whom belongs the glory and dominion
forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11b