The Difference One Number Makes
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
There are two types of people in this world: people who love the movie Rudy, and people who are indifferent. I definitely fall into the first category.
There are way too many profound moments in the film to even begin to write about. I just want to spend a minute talking about passion.
Rudy's passion was obvious. He wanted more than anything to play football for the University of Notre Dame. And let's be honest, who wouldn't? I've never played competitive football in my life, and I would love to run out of that tunnel just like Rudy did. Rudy did everything that he possibly could to make his passion come true. He made sacrifices and he worked hard. He did what he had to. He even took his case to a Higher Court (the scene of him kneeling in front of the candles praying), as the priest instructed him to.
Being the product of Calvin College that I am, I can hardly watch a movie now without taking the time to discern what I had watched. Like I have already said, the movie made me (and is still making me) consider what my passions are in life. Unlike Rudy, I don't feel like I even know what I am specifically passionate about. This makes it difficult to engage my passions with all that I have.
I feel that the character that I resonate more with than Rudy is number 44. Although he is only one number away from Rudy (Rudy was 45), the two characters could not be more different. Rudy hits 44 hard during one scene, and 44 goes ballistic screaming at Rudy. He yells that Rudy treats practice like its the Super Bowl. Coach Parseghian gets up in 44's face and lays into him saying that if he had one tenth the heart of Rudy, he would have been an All-American. Ouch.
I feel like I (and many other people might feel the same) live my life one number off. Instead of pursuing my passions like #45 Rudy, I live as #44 with no heart.
If every Christian had one tenth of the heart of Rudy, imagine what this world would be like?
Posted byMike Fennema posted 10:39 PM 4 comments
People, Stories, and a New Found Respect
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
I've been learning about a couple of different things over the last couple of days. These days that have been beautiful: no stress except babies crying, naps in the middle of the day, old friends, and the comfort of family.
I went to Grand Rapids yesterday (expect a great pic of me and my good buddy Mark real soon). It was great and also revealing. The worst part of the trip was the time that I spend walking around Calvin (that's where I did my undergrad for those of you unfamiliar with the fine institution). Most of it was exactly how I remember it, and I felt at home, but that warm fuzzy feeling ended pretty quickly. After about 15 minutes of walking around and recalling different memories of the different places, I was indifferent about being there, and I realized it was because I was alone. I didn't recognize anyone there, and no one knew me. I even walked by Coop's office, and he wasn't there. I didn't have anyone to share my memories with, and I realized the age-old truth that it's not the place but the people that is so important. If the walls of all the buildings could talk, they would have so many memories to share. But they can't. I realized that although Calvin will always be a home to me, it was truly mine for a little while, and now I have to move on. The people I shared my time with there, however, will always be mine. The relationships that I built there can continue forever (and should as long as I make the slightest of effort).
The day got exponentially better when I was able to spend time with three friends: Rachel, Mel, and Mark. These are three very different friends and relationships, and three friendships which I cherish in their own unique way. Thank you Rach, Mel, and Mark for taking time out of your schedules just to hang. Rach, it always good to catch up with someone that I have known for so long. Even though the times we talk are few and far between, you will always be a good friend. Mel, thank you for understanding how *very, very* important it was to get back in touch with me. Dinner was great, but the conversation was better. I will follow up with you on bringing you down to Orlando to work at Orangewood. I'm praying that God will show you that is where he wants you! ;) And Mark. What can I say? Our no nonsense, don't even think about beating around the bush conversations are amazing. You challenge me. I see so much of the Lord in you. I would drive a lot farther than two and a half hours just to be able to chat with you over a cup of coffee. Enjoy the book. I know that you will love it.
Speaking of how important people are, I just gained a great deal of respect tonight (despite the goofy picture of him with my nephew Wyatt at the beginning of this post) for someone that I thought I knew pretty well. I have a whole new perspective on the person I call my dad because of the conversation that we had tonight over coffee. You always hear about people who have been in the military always sharing their "war stories." To be honest, I have never heard many of my father's stories. Tonight I had the privilege of hearing a few of them. My father, gripping a cup of coffee and propping his feet on the table, recounted fond memories with that reminiscent, far-off look in his eye that only comes from memorable moments dancing around in one's mind. Little did I know that my father won marksmanship awards or met General Patton (the Third, not "Blood n Guts" himself, but his son) or guarded a compound that might have contained nuclear weapons (don’t tell anyone though…that information is classified). I also got to hear the full story of what it was like to find out hours before he was supposed to be shipped of to 'Nam only to find out at the last minute that the orders had changed (I am so thankful of that!). Needless to say, I have a newfound respect for the man I call my father. Not that I didn't have respect for him before, because I hold my father in very high regard. But I felt like a new door was opened and I got to see a little bit more of who he is. So much of whom people are is shaped by what they have done in the past. I feel closer to him. I feel like I understand him that much more now. It's beautiful, and I love it.
Posted byMike Fennema posted 11:06 PM 1 comments
Evidence of the Fall
Sunday, November 20, 2005
**How hard relationships are to maintain.
**Trying to figure out members of the opposite sex (either male or female, i'm not just ripping how impossible women are to understand).
**Trying to complete the rest of this blog, but not being able to focus because my roommates are making too much of ruckus with their conversation and me wanting really badly to crawl into bed but I can't because I've got to pack for Chicago.
Peace out everyone. Have a great Thanksgiving, and I'll give a real update when I get back, hopefully much rejuvinated and having much to talk about.
Posted byMike Fennema posted 10:33 PM 3 comments
This one's for you...
Thursday, November 3, 2005
...mom and dad. I know that you guys love to know what is going on in my life here in FL. Here are a couple of pictures of some friends of mine for you and an idea of what I've been up to recently.
I also know that you guys are avid fans of my blog. However, I have yet to see a comment posted by either of you. Well, here is you opportunity....(other comments welcome too of course!)
Posted byMike Fennema posted 6:19 PM 7 comments
