Not So Super Bowl?

Yesterday I focused on Ground Hog Day in my Children's Moment.  In particular, I was advocating that it be a day when we remember that God wants us to take care of the animals.  As I talked with the children I wanted to know if the children knew about Punxsutawny Phil and his weather predicting behavior.  So I asked, "What happens on Ground Hog Day?"

 One of the little girl's put up her hand.

 "Yes, Caitlyn?" 

"The Super Bowl?"

Needless to say, we all chuckled.  I of course affirmed her--told her she was right.  And then went on to talk about shadows and long winters and so on.  But Caitlyn was right.  The real event of the day wasn't the weather predicting behavior of a rodent in Pennsylvania, but rather the big football game that night.

While I am neither a Broncos nor a Seahawks fan I did watch the game--and like most everyone else, was less than thrilled.  It turned out to be a pretty lousy, one-sided, non-competitive game.  Literally twelve seconds into0 the first quarter and the Broncos were behind, never to come even close.

Despite the game, though, folks have found much to talk about:  the weather, for one thing.  Everyone was worried it would be frigid in new Jersey where the game was played, but it ended up being practically balmy!  Then there was Renee Fleming's take on the National Anthem.  Beautiful--absolutely beautiful!  Best ever, many folks said.  (Of course we who are opera buffs could have told them that if they'd gotten an opera singer before . . . . !)  For fans of pop music, young Bruno Mars (and the not so young Red Hot Chili Peppers) put on a very fine half-time show.  And, as always, the commercials were a notch above the everyday advertisments.

So was the football game really the main event?  Or were all the accompanying activities what made it a special day?  If the turkey gets overcooked, but the side dishes are all delicious. is Thanksgiving still a bust?  If the sermon is lousy, but the music and  prayers are moving, is worship still a disaster? 

Sometimes in life we forget--what looks like the main event may simply be an excuse for whatever comes with it.