Double Whammy and the Icy Hots

Double Whammy and the Icy Hots.  Blast from the past.  Summer 1995.

Clouded memory

As my brother reminded me, time does cloud the memory.  So forgive me in advance if my recollections are skewed.  This is how I remember it. (I’m hoping some of my former teammates see this and help me to fill in some blanks.)   If you’d like to meet them, read to the end.

I’ve entered the danger zone.  I’ve been thinking about my future.   Perhaps it’s because my 40 yr. HS reunion is this summer.  Or maybe it’s because we celebrate a special family wedding in a few weeks.  Life events do seem to hold up the mirror.  Most likely though, I am thinking about my future because so much of it, has little to do with me.  It feels a bit like I’m on the sidelines of my own life.  As I do look forward, I am fully aware that I need to tip toe.

His will

I have been a Christ follower for many years.  Still, wondering about the Lords will for my life, makes my head spin.   As I’ve matured as a Christian, I view the Lord’s will as more of a four line highway, and not a tight rope.  I believe He allows a lot of latitude for my will to weave with His.  PHEW.   He uses ALL things… Romans 8:28.  Even my decisions, good or bad.

Some History

Doug Hucke and I had a LONG (almost ten years), sorted courtship that began in Denver Colorado.  His perseverance is one of his greatest strengths, for which I am now thankful.   In 1988, after becoming quite serious, we broke up.  (A story for another time)  We led young life together, worshipped together and  had the same friends.  For obvious reasons, life was complicated.  To avoid the temptation of getting back together, I moved to Wash DC.  Often the easy road is not the best road.  (See Matthew 7:13,14.)

Doug, in a bad place with our break up and other events, packed up his Chevy Nova with everything he owned, and moved to Pasadena, California to attend Fuller seminary, paid for with a credit card.

Trusting God apart

As we went our separate ways, now 3 time zones apart, God had His hand on me and God had His hand on Doug.  Looking back, I think God was probably smirking.  The twists and turns that led us right back together 5 years later could only have happened under the orchestration of a sovereign Lord.

I moved East to be closer to my family.   Way out of my league, I snagged a dream job, working for Oracle Corporation.  ‘Saabrina’, my red saab, convertible with the car phone, and I became inseparable.  I was firmly in the driver’s seat.  Life was good.

Tennis Life

Enter the delightful bunch in the photo above. Years before I moved to Denver to be a ski bum.  No longer in ski country, and missing weekend activity, I found a new sport, tennis.  Assigned by the United States Tennis Association, this eclectic team took me in.  DC was a fresh slate and an opportunity to reinvent myself.  And I took full advantage.

After several years and many seasons as teammates, we became good friends.  They were shocked to learn that Doug, moving to Scotland, was back in the picture.   And even more shocked to learn that Doug would be an assistant minister in the church of Scotland.  And I loved them for it.    We were tennis friends.  We could not have been any different.  But that is the great thing about great friends.  It shouldn’t matter.  It didn’t matter.  Respect and love.

Fast forward about 18 months.. ( I realize a big chunk of the story is missing)  I’m married, living in Edinburgh.

My parents hosted a reception at their home in State College, PA for those who didn’t attend the Edinburgh celebration.  (I was relieved the wedding dress still zipped, since I was 3 months pregnant with Ian ). Delighted my former tennis team accepted the invitation and made the 3+ hour drive to attend — complete with our team shirts.  I was surprised.  But why?  That’s what good friends do.   Their attendance caused me to realize how significant they had been during those prodigal years.

My Unknown Future

While in DC, I worshiped at a great church, lived in a cute house in McLean, VA, had an awesome roommate Betsy, played tennis with a very fun team, traveled the globe for Oracle and had more money than I could spend. Still it was a season of discontent.

July 2018.  Circumstances are quite different!   Depending on the day, life can suck.  My future is  very murky.  But honestly…. I’m content.  My ONLY explanation — It’s not up to me.  He is in charge.  My foundation is rock solid.  His ways are higher than my ways.  And I believe Him.  Contentment is not dependent on circumstances.

I realize now, so many years later, discontentment for a Christian, is a by product of being the master of your own life — however awesome that life may appear.  It is built on shaky ground!

Tenth Avenue North  — “Control”     Read the words to this stanza and consider saying it as your prayer to the Lord.

God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To take my hands off of my life
And the way it should go

God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To open my hands up
And give You control
I give You control

PHOTO   From left to right…   

Karen Gibbs — heart of gold, who had the coolest job working for National Geographic

??  in the pink dress– don’t remember her name but I recall she was our team’s ringer

Didi — sweet Didi from Belgium.  She had an awesome accent and a hilarious giggle and wow could she cook.

Karen — loyal and steady.  She had an very effective lob whose steady partner was Beth.

Helen and Susan (both wearing straw hats) were partners off the court, who lived in a cute flat in Dupont circle and often hosted our parties.   Helen a lefty,  was strictly business on the tennis court.  And Susan, often played as my partner, kept us all constantly laughing!

Cindy — an adventurer who had a wicked slice

Beth (on the sofa on my right) —  a lawyer who took nothin’ from no one, both on and off the court.

Sweet Marilyn (on the sofa on my left) — celebrated a milestone birthday with us  (was it 70 Marilyn?)  Marilyn was my first tennis hero.  She played almost daily.

GodsGotThis

Debbie Hucke