Reflections from the Home Team - April 10, 2020

“I believe everyone can trace their good qualities to a handful of life lessons that helped shape their mind and body. If you look deep into your soul, I’m sure something will come to mind. These life changing events and experiences are what form our opinions, work ethic, life goals, and define the essence of our being. For me, baseball has taught me these life lessons over a number of decades as a young person, as a player and as a coach.”

Greetings from Cedar Falls,

It seems every recent text, email and conversation with friends begins with, "This is crazy”, or “When are we going to get back to normal?”  It sometimes feels like we are living in a bad movie experiencing a surreal moment that made us confront the reality that this isn't a game or a movie, but rather, life as we now have come to know it. While the NCAA didn't host “March Madness” this year because of the Corona Virus, we certainly experienced our own version of “March Madness”.

The goal of athletic teams, whether basketball, baseball, football, volleyball, wrestling or for that matter, any competitive sport during playoffs, is to survive and advance. Teams want to somehow, someway make it through one round to advance to the next. How they do it doesn't have to be pretty and they may not play their best. They just want to win the battle today to give themselves a shot to compete in the next round where they hope to adapt and ultimately advance.

From a physical standpoint, I think that should be the goal for all of us in the upcoming months when competing against this virus. We currently have a new and different version of a virus that we haven't experienced before. My personal goal is to survive it by strengthening my immune system, (working on that daily) and do my best to win the battle each day. By allowing my body to adapt so I can ultimately be stronger, I can continue on with my life journey according to God’s plan. 

There have been many life lessons along the way for me that have helped me in this process, and I’ve tried my best to articulate some of those through my reflections. I believe everyone can trace their good qualities to a handful of life lessons that helped shape their mind and body. These life changing events and experiences are what form our opinions, work ethic, life goals, and define the essence of our being. For me, baseball has taught me many of these life lessons over a number of decades as a young person, as a player and as a coach.

When I was young, I grew up on a farm outside of town.  My dad actually took some of his crop out of production (a real sacrifice) and together, we built a baseball field so we could play and host neighborhood games. The “neighborhood” consisted of about a 12 square mile area. No adults, no umpires, just us kids left to learn and play the game. Many of the “kids” in the neighborhood were older than me and my siblings, so we had to “play up” and any success I may have had made me want more, it was “infectious and contagious” to coin a phrase used a lot these days. This was my first life lesson… being successful and achieving goals was a most gratifying feeling, and I wanted to have that feeling as much as possible.

When I got to my teenage years, I was introduced to organized baseball “in town”. I looked forward to playing every day, riding my bike into town from the farm to play on several different teams. I looked forward to making the high school team because they played home and away games like a real baseball team and they practiced every day. I actually hoped to make the varsity squad as a sophomore as we had a pretty talented class and I had pretty much always played up with older athletes, but that didn’t happen as our coach wisely allowed upperclassmen their opportunity to compete first. This is how I learned the lesson of delayed gratification. As I invest time and effort into my present-day ventures, I look back at that experience as a formative time. There are many times in my life that have required delayed gratification. If it weren’t for not making the varsity squad my sophomore year, I might have felt entitled to success in the game and in life.

When I was in high school, we had answering machines…. not voicemail. I remember coming home on a random spring day after practice and my dad said, “there’s a message for you on the machine.” It was a college asking me to come visit as the coach wanted me to come and play for his school. I called him back and a couple months later I was enrolled as student athlete getting the opportunity to be a college baseball and football player. This was an amazing opportunity for me because I never viewed myself as being naturally talented like many of my teammates. I had to spend more time than anyone else on the field, in the weight room and in the batting cages in order to compete and succeed by getting to the next level. And as they often say… the rest is history.

Throughout my high school and college years I made amazing friendships and earned a place in what I refer to as the “Baseball Fraternity.” It’s not a real Fraternity, but an unspoken bond that baseball players have with each other. This exists between guys that KNOW the grind of playing competitively and doing whatever it takes to get to the next level. “Getting to the next level…” has been the MOST valuable lesson I learned from baseball. I may not always have been the most talented, but I will NOT be outworked.

I believe I am where I am and who I am today because I played the game. I look back at my competitive baseball years and truly believe the lessons learned were more valuable than many of those I learned in the classroom. Baseball is a passion that I simply cannot shake.  I still learn lessons from the game today, even as I have reached an age when my mind tells my body one thing, and my body goes a completely different way in response… Despite that, we are never too old to learn!

As we have lost opening day this year, a time that normally gets us excited for the new season wondering what team will win it all in October, there are still many other victories to be earned other than simply earning a W. I recently read a piece entitled Opening Day - Life Lessons from Baseball and I wanted to share it with you as I know many of you have young players in your house. I hope you enjoy reading this piece.  I think we all know as parents that there are MANY lessons that are learned from sports, but somehow, baseball sticks out for me…  Imagine that!!

Opening Day - Life Lessons from Baseball 

Credit to Spell it out photos...

Don’t Argue Balls and Strikes – Even if you are 100% sure that it was bad call. Try not to blow up in the umpire’s face. It will usually result in an even worse outcome. Have you EVER seen an umpire change a ball/strike call. 

Life Lesson: Learn to avoid the battles that can’t be won. Take the good with the bad and trust that the law of averages will eventually be on your side. 

Attitude Matters – Tuck in your shirt, run to your position, and don’t ever throw your helmet. 

Life Lesson: Take it seriously but have fun. If things don’t go your way, don’t throw a fit, just figure out how to do it better next time. This is the attitude that makes a good employee, person, spouse, and friend.

Learn to Bounce Back – You will strike out. You will make an error. You will try to steal a base and fail.  Baseball is a game of failure, so use these setbacks as learning experiences. Failing isn’t bad.  In baseball, if you fail 50% of the time at the plate, you have an incredible batting average. 

Life Lesson:  Don’t let your failures blind you from your successes. Put yourself out there and learn from the setbacks. Don’t be afraid to take chances or let failure stop you from trying again.

Collect Yourself – A pick-off attempt is made, and you dive back into first. Don’t be afraid to call time, brush yourself off, straighten your hat, and then lead off again. 

Life Lesson: Learn to take small moments in life to collect yourself. 

Don’t be Intimidated – It’s the pitcher’s job to intimidate you as a batter. He will throw curve balls at your head and inside pitches to your body. Who owns that plate, you or the pitcher? If the pitcher takes control, you lose. Don’t get intimidated, stand close to the plate and get your bat ready for what’s next.

Life Lesson: Who controls your life? You do. Stand tall, take control, and don’t let outside forces intimidate you.

Practice Teamwork – Getting to know your fellow team members, their habits, strengths, and weaknesses can serve to develop a solid core of trust and communication on the field. It’s the chemistry that makes good teams great.

Life Lesson: Take the time to get to know your teammates in life. Learn what they can do for you, but more importantly, what you can do for them, and how you can succeed together.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask / Don’t Stop Learning – Having trouble with your swing? Not sure where the weakness in the strike zone is?  The best ball players are those that are always trying to find out from others, what they cannot see themselves. What may seem impossible for you to spot may be immediately obvious to others.

Life Lesson: Don’t be afraid to ask for advice, help, or some on-the-side coaching. More importantly, be coachable…

These are just a few of the valuable lessons learned from the game that I love which I have put to good use in my life…  I’m hopeful they may do the same for you and your loved ones!

Getting back to my opening thought with regard to friends asking - “When are we going to get back to normal???”  Well, today’s numbers are showing that the United States has the leading number of cases of corona virus in the world. Many states like Washington, Louisiana, and California are functioning under a ‘stay at home’ or ‘shelter in place’ order. Countries all over the world are working to flatten the curve that this pandemic is taking. Regardless of age, demographic, or underlying health issues, it seems the corona virus is capable of infecting all. Which leads many to ask the question: How did this happen, and where is God? In the face of suffering, many refute the claims of God, others blame Him for their pain, while few bless and worship Him. In our Wednesday morning Men’s Bible Study, we studied the life of Job a few months ago.  In Job, we see a man faced with great suffering—who lost everything. So, what does the book of Job teach us about the Corona virus?

We can find comfort in the midst of this pandemic the same way Job found comfort. His hope, allegiance, joy, identity and ultimate satisfaction was not found in his possessions, his family, or his health. They were found in the everlasting, blessed name of the Lord. We must remember throughout this pandemic that our hope is not found in our people, our health, or our things, but in the Lord. We should expect suffering as Christians, but can also trust scripture like when Peter states that; 

“After you have suffered a little while, [God] will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever.”  1 Peter 5:10-11

God is here, reigning sovereignly over all things—whether we are restored in this life from our suffering, or the next. We do not know His reasons, but we do know His plans cannot be thwarted.

“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2.  

As for the question of when we will get back to normal? I recently read a post from a good friend who owns TJ’s Christian Book Store here in Cedar Falls.  She has been posting encouraging messages on a daily basis, and I very much appreciate them.  This post was shared with her by a good friend of hers and has found a special place in my heart as an answer to this question…  Thanks Joyce!!

I Pray We Don’t Go Back to Normal...

1. I pray that the next time a friend grabs me and pulls me in for a hug, I actually take the time to appreciate the gift of their embrace.

2. I pray that when school resumes and people are dropping kids off, they take the time to thank the staff for the amazing gift that they give to our community.

3. I pray that the next time I’m sitting in a crowded restaurant I take the time to look around at the smiling faces, loud voices and thank God for the gift of community.

4. I pray that the next time I’m standing in church listening to the voices of praise and worship that I take a moment to thank God for the gift of congregation.

5. I pray that the next time I see a person or situation that needs prayer, I hope I pray as passionately and fervently as I have these past few weeks.

6. I pray that when I am at the grocery store that I take a moment to thank God that He provides us with the necessities of life and the amazing people who work so hard to keep us supplied.

7. I pray that I never again take for granted the ability to hop in the car and visit a friend, go to the mall, go to a gathering, etc.

So, truth is, I don’t want things to return to the way they once were. I pray that we take the lessons and challenges of the past few weeks and create a new normal. My goal is to pray more, love harder, and truly appreciate the daily abundance of blessings that were so easily overlooked just a mere few weeks ago.   Have a blessed day!

As Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 says; “There is a time for everything … a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” 

God wired us all with emotions and I am learning to allow them to accompany me on the road of life instead of pretending they don’t exist or really don’t matter… His Word provides the perspective I need. It helps pick me up. He gives me permission to feel, to be sad, yes, even to be anxious. His grace gives the strength I need to handle the hard emotions. The Bible tells us to give thanks in everything. I choose to thank God in the midst of all my emotions. (and there have been a lot of them!) There’s a power in praise that doesn’t eliminate sadness and anxiety, but it certainly does soothe and soften it.

As we approach this Easter Sunday in a way that we have never done before, let’s choose to thank God for the gift of His Son Jesus, bless His great name, trust His loving heart, and give Him praise today and every day as we move through this time together.

Remember...

Many persons may love you,

Many people may like you,

But there is only ONE who died for YOU❣️

Wishing you all a Blessed and Happy Easter!

Dave

Are you or someone you know fighting cancer... struggling with the physical, emotional and spiritual issues that accompany a cancer journey or other serious health issue? Making ourselves available to others can open up the doors of opportunity for deeper relationships, healing, and transformation. For many, time is one of the most valuable commodities in today's fast-paced world. Sharing time with others is a wonderful gift. It says, "Here I am... for you. To listen, to care, to serve." The power of presence should never be underestimated!  

Be an encourager in someone else’s life!

To learn more about being an encourager, and to view the Reflections blog, visit the Reflections from the Home Team website at:

www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/