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I recently had the privilege to take in the Manchester United vs. AS Roma match that was held in Denver, CO as part of the Guinness International Champions Cup held in the summer of 2014 through the United States. It was a chance to see, up close, some of the world’s best teams and best players. As an addition to this past summer’s World Cup, it made for a wonderful summer-filled with soccer. For me, part of the joy was to be able to share the game with my oldest daughter, Brianna (pictured below).

Now, to be honest, my daughter is still probably more excited about getting Dippin’ Dots at the game than seeing the likes of Wayne Rooney score a brilliant goal. It reminded me of a song once sung that lamented the fact that we can often be in a glorious place, surrounded by beauty but we are so absorbed in electronics or in the trivial that we miss it.

For me, I wanted my daughter to realize that we were watching Manchester United, one of the best, most prestigious teams in the world. But for her, she took more joy when I went and bought her the famous stadium ice cream. In years to come, she may look back and fondly think of the time that we went to a Man U game. It is unlikely that she will remember the Dippin’ Dots – just as I will unlikely remember the scoreline or even Wayne Rooney scoring twice. What will remain is the relationship that we share as father and daughter. We will appreciate those moments together, sitting in the stands and sharing with each other.

This was reinforced to me again as I ended a counseling appointment with someone at the church. We had spent time looking back at this person’s life – to see where the faithful presence of God had been with them during times – good and bad. Sometimes, people ask me, “Why do you believe in God?” And in those moments, sometimes I cannot always remember the ways that He has been faithful or the times that he has brought me through – there is a relationship that has grown out of love. “We’ve spent time together.” And while, at different points in my life, I have been more concerned with the “Dippin’ Dots” and have missed appreciating the more glorious moments of being in the presence of God still He is good to me (like a father) and He continues to share with me- waiting for me to see how good, how glorious He truly is.

Blessings,

Rev. Brad Kenney