I grew up at Wrigley Field.
Well, maybe that’s not exactly true, but if we weren’t physically present in the stands, then the game was on the tube or Harry Caray’s gravely voice was singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” on staticky WGN radio.
Dad would load us into the big, ole, brown station wagon with the vinyl-wood-look stripe down the side. My sister and I would lie on our bellies on the 4” thick velour cushion in the station wagon’s bed and stare out the rear window at the drivers. Holding up two fingers to form the ‘peace’ sign, we would count how many people ‘peaced’ us back. Mom and Dad were in the front belting out the three baseball songs in their proper rotation.
Take me out to the ball game! Take me out to the crowd…
It’s….a…beautiful day for a ball game, for a ball game today!
Hey, Hey! Holy Mackerel! No doubt about it! The Cubs are on their way!
After 90 minutes, we finally hit Chicago.
“Everyone look for a parking spot!”
All eyes were on deck for a free street-parking spot. We groaned if we had to actually pay some dude $20 to park on his property. This didn’t happen often because Dad liked to park about a mile from Wrigley. His family had to eat, and Sparta Gyros was our favorite. (It’s still there - I just checked!)
Walking into the park, a man handed me a tiny pencil along with a score card. Keeping track of the balls, strikes, and runs for each player kept my mind actively involved in the game. We cheered and groaned and jumped up and down, always desiring for the Cubs to win. And sometimes they did actually win, but mostly they lost. Either way, Dad’s allegiance to the Cubs never faltered because…
My Dad is a Die-Hard Chicago Cubs Fan.
AI’s definition of a Die-Hard Chicago Cubs Fan: “A Die-Hard Chicago Cubs fan is a person who is intensely devoted to the team, regardless of their performance or the length of any winning or losing streaks. They are characterized by unwavering loyalty, a deep knowledge of the team's history, and a strong emotional connection to the Cubs. These fans often attend games, follow the team closely, and passionately defend the Cubs against criticism.”
When Dad was in his early 40’s, he became a Die-Hard Jesus Fan.
My definition of a Die-Hard Jesus Fan: A Die-Hard Jesus Fan is a person who is intensely devoted to Jesus, regardless of their circumstances, even through life’s highs and lows. They are characterized by having an unwavering loyalty to Jesus Christ, a deep knowledge of history from the beginning - found in the Bible, and a strong emotional connection to Jesus. These fans often attend church, follow Jesus closely, and passionately share the good news of Jesus with everyone, even if it leads to martyrdom.
Last time I visited Mom and Dad, I climbed into the back of their white SUV and buckled my seat belt. As Dad drove, I stared out the window at the other drivers, but if I had given them the peace sign, they probably would have thought it an obscene gesture. We pulled into a parking spot between two other vehicles. Entering the building, the man shook our hands and welcomed us, but didn’t hand me a score card and pencil. Instead, I sat down, took out my pen, and opened my Bible. Following along in God’s Word keeps my mind actively involved in the sermon.
I looked over at Dad. He had his Bible open and a Cub’s decal on his shirt.
When the Cubs finally won the World Series in 2016 after a 108 year drought, I cried happy tears. I watched Anthony Rizzo leap for joy from first base and join his teammates in a gigantic huddle of joy. After so many years of ups and downs, they had clung to the hope of winning and had never given up. On that day, many reaped the joy of having persevered as Die-Hard Cubs Fans.
So it is with Christians. Life is hard, but God is still good, even through the longest drought. Through these many years of trials, I cling to the hope of the rejoicing that will happen when I finally see Jesus.
On that day, I might just look like Rizzo.
Click here to see what that might look like (it’s only 40 seconds)-