Reflections from the Home Team - April 15, 2020

“Jackie’s quote lays out a challenge to each of us as we confront the challenges the Covid 19 pandemic presents in all of our lives.  Too often, we sit in the grandstand and watch as life is played out on the field in front of us. 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."

Greetings from Cedar Falls!

Today is Jackie Robinson Day and I can’t think of a better time to recognize one of my favorite baseball heroes.  Jackie endured unthinkable taunting and abuse as he broke the baseball color line on this day back in 1947. His impact on not only baseball, but on our country is literally immeasurable!  I have held many of Jackie’s quotes in my heart over the years, but one in particular has touched me over the past several weeks.

“Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life.”

Jackie’s quote lays out a challenge to each of us as we confront the challenges the Covid 19 pandemic presents in all of our lives.  So too often, we sit in the grandstand and watch as life is played out on the field in front of us. 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."

I read the story below online a couple weeks ago and it has found a special place in my heart because it demonstrates “getting back into the game” with compassion and kindness. It reads:


An elderly woman had finally succumbed to the coronavirus in a New York City hospital. Her doctor, overwhelmed with patients, talked to her son over the phone to give him the news.

The son asked the doctor if he could please take the phone to his mom’s room and put him on speaker so he could say a solemn Jewish prayer over his mom.

This doctor had more patients to see, but he realized this man never got to say goodbye to his mom and what this moment meant to him. So, he granted the man’s request. When he was done the man thanked the doctor. The doctor, in tears now, thanked the man because the experience of that prayer gave him the courage and strength that he needed to continue his work.

I’m guessing the doctor didn’t take the phone into the mother’s room for the son to pray over her to be a hero, but instead to show kindness and compassion to a family who got caught up in one of the terrible experiences this pandemic has caused. The power of presence (even digital presence) should never be underestimated and is most certainly one of the ways we can get back in the game!  

When I was a kid, I often dreamed of being a hero, at first, probably some form of superhero -- Superman, Captain America, Captain Marvel (I loved Marvel comic books!). Then it progressed to be a great athlete like my some of my baseball heroes (Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson and Johnny Bench). What I didn’t know back then (and realize now) is that heroes don’t need to wear capes, or a sports uniform and they don’t have to have superpowers or amazing God-given talent. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. All genders, all races, and all religions.

They are doctors and nurses serving on the front lines, hospital cleaning crews, drivers making sure there is food at the grocery store for us. And they’re the ones stocking those grocery shelves, working the checkout registers. They are the people sitting out in front of our neighborhood schools at lunchtime passing out lunches to students who come by for perhaps their only decent meal of the day. (I witnessed that at Holmes Jr. High last week). They are also the teachers, who are delivering lessons to their students online now. This list could go on and on and on…

Sometimes, the things we see as obstacles, as rocks in our path, (such as this pandemic) are really opportunities, treasures in disguise.  There is no easy path to success, and I’m sure that as we talk about each of our journeys, we will discover that we all have had some rocks or stones in each of our paths over the years.

My motto has always been “BE READY BECAUSE YOU MAY BE THE DIFFERENCE IN SOMEONE’S LIFE AT ANY MOMENT OF THE DAY!”  It brings to mind a letter I received from a good friend who coached High School baseball in northern Wisconsin for a number of years. We got to know each other as we were presenting at a coaching seminar and the letter came at a time when both of us were questioning whether we were having an impact on the student athletes we were working with. The letter spoke to my heart and has demonstrated how we never know when or where we may have an opportunity to impact others.

It reads:

Coach Welter,

Over twenty years of coaching has left me with the same frustrations that were driving many of us out of the profession. In a society that emphasized immediate and easy gratification, I was emphasizing hard work and self-denial. In a work force that expected more pay for fewer hours I was putting in more hours and the salary was insulting. I thought my work was important, but nobody else seemed to care… Sometimes I wondered if it was worth it.

A tragedy convinced me it was. Late one afternoon last July as my wife and I prepared to go out, my catcher came running to the house.  “Coach, come quick, Chad’s been hurt really bad.” Chad, one of my starting pitchers had wrecked his motorcycle two blocks from my house.  I dropped everything and ran to the scene. When I got there, the paramedics were loading Chad into the ambulance.  So, I raced back home and drove to the hospital. The ER nurse explained that Chad was in critical condition and that nobody could find his parents.  A little later, we learned that his parents were away camping in Minnesota.  Even if we could reach them, they had at least a five-hour drive ahead of them to get to the hospital.

As word of the accident spread, Chad’s teammates started showing up in the waiting room.  For most of them, this was the first time the threat of death was so close.  It was obvious that the doctors had a job to do in the ER and I had a job to do in the waiting room. A little later, the nurse told us that Chad would be transferred to University Hospital in Madison as soon as a med-flight helicopter was available. I knew I had to drive to Madison so somebody would be there with Chad.

I arrived at University hospital before Chad did.  I explained that I was the closest thing to family that Chad had until we could reach his parents. The doctor told me that Chad’s condition was very grave and that my job was to help the family when they arrived. “Also, if you believe in God, a few prayers are in order.”

When the helicopter arrived, I stepped out into the hall and caught a glimpse of Chad as they rolled him in. He was unconscious and his face was badly swollen.  I knew that if anyone could make it, Chad could. He was solid muscle and a tough kid, but I was beginning to realize that those qualities might not be enough. Somebody finally contacted Chad’s parents. His mother was worried that nobody was there with Chad, but the nurse told her that I was with him and would stay until his parents arrived. At least her son was not facing this ordeal alone.

As the evening dragged on, the waiting room filled with teammates.  There was no word from the emergency room.  This was a mixed blessing because everyone was afraid of what the word might be when it did come. Time magnified the frustration and anxiety of Chad’s teammates. They were young, impetuous and strong.  They were not accustomed to sitting helplessly and waiting. They had stormed through many obstacles, but this was one they couldn’t run over. One by one, the frustration overwhelmed them. One went into the Chapel and prayed; One walked out into the parking lot and pounded on a wall. Another wandered through the halls. Once again, I had a job to do.

Finally, Chad’s family arrived. Their minister consoled the parents and I took a long walk with Dan, Chad’s younger brother. I couldn’t answer the questions he asked, nobody could. So, we just walked and talked. About 1:30 am, the doctors called the family into a consultation room and confirmed everyone’s worst fear; Chad was dead.

The waiting room erupted into a babel of praying, swearing and crying.  These were young men who were not used to losing, and they had just lost the biggest one of all.  All those locker room platitudes, about the game of life were now excruciatingly true.  Someone ran up to me and said, “Coach, you better help Dan.  He looks like he is going to lose it.” So, while Chad’s father comforted his wife, I put my arm around Dan and tried to steady him.  The four of us walked into the darkened room where Chad’s body lay. As we left Chad, his father turned to me and said; “Coach, I really believe that somehow, Chad knew you were with him tonight. Thanks for being here.” It was 3 o’clock in the morning as I drove home.  I prayed. I prayed for Chad, I prayed for his family and I prayed for Chad’s teammates. I also thanked God for making me a coach!

As always,

Your friend, Joe

A lot of things ran through my mind after reading this letter… I have stressed many of the things Joe mentioned in his letter as a teacher, coach and principal.  Sometimes students, athletes and parents just don’t buy into it. Despite that, as Joe said, it took a tragedy to convince him it was all worth it. His special relationship with his squad and with Chad was a good example of the importance of relationships and are the key to building the strength and support needed to survive and move forward through life’s challenges. As Colossians 3:12 shares: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” The power of presence should never be underestimated!  

I think most of us grew up wanting to be heroes. This is our chance. This is our moment. Let’s find a way to contribute. Lift someone’s spirits today. Be an encourager in someone else’s life. Be a hero!

Stay healthy and be well!    

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/