An Easter Devotion by Brandon Jones
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
Psalm 23:4
I fear no evil; for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
November 2009
Crinkle. Crinkle. Crinkle.
I labored over, slowly hunched down, and picked up the envelope that was slid beneath the door of my hotel room.
Four days earlier, I left my family home in New Jersey for Springfield, MA. I’d spent most of the previous year playing professional basketball in Germany. It was a wonderful experience, but it was excruciating being so far from everyone I loved. I was excited to be beginning my professional basketball career in the United States.
Unfortunately, the excitement was shortlived. I got terribly sick after my first day of practice. Another player had the flu, so everyone, including myself, assumed I must’ve caught it. I hadn’t been able to keep anything down for three days, let alone go to practice.
Creak.
I opened the door and the team assistant took several giant steps backward.
“What’s this?” I asked.
“That’s your travel check,” he replied covering his face with his shirt.
“My travel check? So, does this mean I’ve been cut?”
“Yeah, we’ve already checked you out. You don’t have to stop at the front desk.”
I’d never felt so humiliated and despaired. Initially, I decided to take up my things and drive back to New Jersey right away, but Kim convinced me to slow down and let her visit. She didn’t want me to be alone, and I’m so grateful she insisted.
In the time it took her to drive from Framingham to Springfield, my symptoms severely worsened. By the time we had finished packing my belongings, my vision was so impaired that Kim had to physically guide me to the elevator. She took me to the hospital and I became gravely ill; but by God’s grace, I eventually recovered.
I often think about how I would have been driving somewhere on I-84 when my vision blurred had I left when I planned.
Thank you, God, for the people
That love us so deeply
That they interrupt our plans to
Remind us we are never alone,
Even in our darkest hours.
Amen.