On Target

As American as baseball, apple pie, and Chevrolet.

Our first visit to the new Target Field in Minneapolis was uncertain. Plans changed for friends at Bethel, and they offered us tickets in the first deck down the right field line--excellent tickets!

The seats were so good that we hesitated to leave them for any reason to explore this beautiful, new Target Field. And we didn't. We also enjoyed a well-pitched 6-0 winning by the Twins over the Indians.

As a supporter of the Metrodome (and the need for a covered baseball park in Minnesota, especially for all the college teams that use the Dome 24/7 for a few weeks in the early spring), I didn't expect to be moved by outdoor, professional baseball as I was yesterday. The sights were tremendous. The sun was brilliant. The house was full. We even saw Wally the Beer Man, one whom I have seen selling beer now in three stadiums, the first time in Metropolitan Stadium in the 1960's.

It was a tremendous afternoon. As we were leaving Target Field, I checked my smart phone for messages. One had particular poignancy. Ninety-three year old Lois had died that morning. The coincidence? Lois was the mother of the friend who gave us the tickets, because this friend knew her mother was in dire circumstances.

As we were celebrating at Target Field, Sue and Paul were mourning the loss of this vibrant and wonderful Christian woman. She gave great inspiration to all of us who are aging. She was on target with her faith and her family. Sue and Paul will never think about a game that they missed in 2010, but they will forever remember their mother and mother-in-law. Tears are shed, but prayers of thanks are offered as well.

I hope that people will enjoy baseball (as well as apple pie and Chevrolets) for decades to come at Target Field. More so, I pray that people will be on target with their faith and their relationships. Baseball will come and go. Faith is forever.