Well, my first hockey game of the season is now officially in the books. 

…I probably wouldn’t have commented on it – there was nothing stellar about the game – but what led up to the on-ice time and afterwards is worth making some observations on.

For most of my life, hockey has been part of the changing of seasons in the fall. 

I start by putting away the golf clubs, while biking begins to peter out. There are just more bad weather days than good ones for these outside sports. 

Hockey starts to become my main sporting activity and usually near the end of September I get my first taste of the new season.

This year not only did I get my first taste, it came in a new flavour.

With COVID comes new rules and restrictions. Some are not so good; some are a little uncomfortable. 

Besides the predictable rules of having to sign in and wear masks until we put our helmets on, we could only show up fifteen minutes before our game, could only use the dressing rooms to lace up our skates, and were not allowed to leave anything in the dressing rooms. 

… When I describe it like that, it sounds easy – except it means we now have to come into the rink dressed for the game … like we did when we were seven years old! 

I had visions of being wedged in my car between the seat and the steering wheel and not making it to my game in time! 

The reality though is that we are now dressing in the parking lot. 

I showed up with my hockey undergarments on and a pair of sweats. With the back hatch of my car opened like a locker, I stood in the parking lot and put on my shin pads, pants, elbow pads and sweater. 

The important note here is you want to make sure your jock shorts are in good shape and that you are not wearing ones that you’ve had for ten years and have become a little holely, if you know what I mean.

That would not be a pretty show. 

Walking into the arena carrying my stick, with skates, gloves and helmet all in a bag was painless. … I had contemplated the skates and helmet skewered on my stick like a shish kebab look but decided to put them all in a gym bag instead. It was definitely the way to go. 

Another downside was with the regulations to prepare for the next group, we had to get off the ice as soon as our hour was up; there was no extra time.

On the upside, with not being able to change in the dressing room or use the showers, I found I was out of the rink in record time. 

When it was all said and done, this is going to take a little getting used to. … And I can hardly wait until my new outdoor locker room is sub-zero temperatures!

Here’s the thing: In some cases, we are making big changes because of COVID. We want to do certain things, so we are willing to make the necessary changes. What big changes are you willing to make for God? When you are confronted with something in your life that does not please God, are you willing to make changes because you care about pleasing Him with your life? Let’s be as willing to change for God as we are to make changes for other things we view as important. 

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What change do you need to consider making right now? Leave your comments and questions below.

Subscribe to this blog and receive posts like this one delivered to your email inbox twice weekly.