Being a fan

My in-laws have headed down to Arizona to watch their favorite baseball team in spring training. They are big fans of this team! They’re both in their late 70’s yet work full time (times have been hard for them, they cannot afford to retire). They have chosen to take their few vacation hours available and go to spring training. They know every player, as if they are the proud parents. They know the stats, hometowns, the names of their families in some cases, and of course – they’re the BEST players anyone could ever hope to have. Though there have been a few times that they have come away not too impressed with a particular player. Spring training is where they get to know the new team members and get a feel for them, as if in some personal way.

So where does the word “fan” come from? Fanatic. They are fanatical about this baseball team, to say the least. I took our two foster kids to Build-A-Bear Workshop today for Shmuella’s 9th birthday. They saw baseball uniforms for the bears and shouted, “OH! Grandma and Grandpa would love these!” Yes, my in-laws are fanatics and everyone knows it. Not only that, they are not ashamed of this in the least, in fact they are rather proud to be such fans.

On another note, I was informed this past weekend by some relatives of our foster kids that another relative is concerned that the kids have ended up in some “religious fanatic” household. The relative that told me this laughed and said to them, “Well, it’s better than the satanic stuff they used to live with.” Still, the thought that their relatives consider us “religious fanatics” is both semi-insulting and a great compliment.

You see, when you are a fanatic you are “a person motivated by an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm, or zeal” (says dictionary.com). This person is an enthusiast, highly devoted to their cause or belief. My in-laws are very enthusiastic about baseball and about one team in particular.  They are very devoted to their team in both winning seasons and losing seasons. They simply cannot be turned from their team and cannot make themselves see the team, or it’s players, in a negative light.

How does being a fan translate to our family as we try to live our lives in a way that pleases and blesses HaShem? Well, He comes first in every area. I can’t say that is true 100% of the time, but that is the goal we strive for. From what we eat to what we wear, what we say and when and to whom, and how we treat others. Everything in our lives stems from a desire to honor Him and bring glory to the Creator of the Universe. Our favorite subject of study and conversation is Torah, the written Word of HaShem. Our book case is full of study guides, Bibles, books that help us get a better understanding of Scripture and the G-d Who breathed everything into creation. Our music is praise and worship music in a wide variety of styles. Our videos are all “the video Bible” style. Our favorite day of the week is Shabbat and our favorite times of the year are the festivals that He outlined for His children in Leviticus 23. Yes, you could say that we are big HaShem fans! In fact, I would consider that a great compliment.

So why do I feel so strange talking about my book collection, my video collection and music collection? Why do I feel like it’s almost bragging? Why is it awkward? Well, because in most Christian circles it is almost bragging. And in today’s world one should keep his/her religion and theology under wraps. Whenever someone’s theology and beliefs start to creep out into the open, it’s time to re-evaluate ones friendship with such a person. When someone calls you a “religious fanatic” they are not intending to say kind words about you, they are telling you that they think you have lost your mind and could even be a dangerous person. Why is that?

Let’s see – do my in-laws have a “baseball box” and a “work box” and a “home box” and a “over-at-the-friends-house box”? No. They will even miss church for a baseball game so long as they can catch a sermon on tv or the radio, so there “religion box” and their “baseball box” often overlap in some way. Baseball is in every ‘box’ of their lives. Why should HaShem be in a separate box in my life? Why is it that the world expects us to keep G-d in a box and why is it that we tend to do so? Our relationship with Him is private, between each of us and Him. That is true. But still, doesn’t our desire for Him permeate every ‘box’ in our lives? If it doesn’t, shouldn’t it?

So while I chuckle at being called a “religious fanatic”, I need to remember that to most people, believers or not, it is an insult. Just like being peculiar. Take a look at what HaShem says He wants us to be:
Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 14:2 then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light

So next time someone calls you a fanatic or peculiar, remember that while they may indeed think you are strange, HaShem may be pleased. That means that you are separate from the world and that your devotion to Him is foolishness to those who do not know and believe.

So yes, I am a fanatic. I’m peculiar too! And know what? I’m honored to be considered in such a way.