Full marks go to the Carolina Hurricanes for their big win last night. I look back on the The Stanley Cup is in there somewhere... I think!
whole playoffs and think of what could have been... Montreal had this team on the ropes in the first round up 2 games to none but couldn't finish them off. If Koivu hadn't suffered a serious eye injury, maybe he would have been snatching the cup off the table before the commish could even present it like Rod Brind'amour did last night! If the Sabres defence hadn't been decimated the way they were maybe they could have been cup finalists. If goalie Dominik Hasek could have played, maybe he would have led Mike Fisher and the Sens to the Cup. If Roloson hadn't torn up his knee in game 1 of the finals, maybe the outcome would have been different.
coulda, shoulda, woulda...
if only...
Then again, the 'canes had to deal with things too. A #1 goalie who suddenly forgot how to stop a puck at the most important time of year, missing Erik Cole - one of the games premier power forwards - for all but the final 2 games, injuries to key players - aaron ward, doug weight, kevyn adams, bumps and bruises to all the players. But the 'canes found a way to deal with these things, persevere, and triumph.
Just like in life - it is not what happens to us, but how we respond to what happens. We all have difficulties, rough spots, trials, and the like. Do you lose faith, or do you persevere? Don't lose heart - rather look up and live life like a champion. The bible says that we are "more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Rom.8:37).
It is amazing how our perspective can change when we keep our eyes on the prize - for the 'canes it was the Stanley Cup. For us, it is the Hope of His Calling, our eternal home in the presence of the Lord!
