Reflections
from the Home Team –June 16, 2018
“I’ve now, more than ever realized the importance of
encouragement coming my way to help me through those difficult times. I am so
very grateful for the encouraging words coming from my Home Team dugout! Just
reinforces for me the importance of encouragement in all our lives.”
Greetings from
Cedar Falls!
Summer has arrived, and of course, the baseball
season is in full swing. I’ve enjoyed catching
a number of games, looking for the next bright prospect out there! As I watch
games, ranging from Youth League to High School, and on into College and the
Professional ranks, I often see players of all stages going through a rough
stretch -- they can’t seem to get the big hit, or make a big pitch when they need
it. They might go a week without a hit or find themselves hitting .200 a month
into the season…
As I’ve experienced a bit of a rough stretch
the past couple of months dealing with some of those pesky side effects of
treatments, I can relate to those players who may be experiencing some
struggles on their own personal journeys.
As I watch them, it made me think of a story from a book I read a few
years ago called “The Sender” by Kevin Elko.
There
was a boxer named Cyclone Hart. And he
loses a fight to an Italian named Vito. At the end of the fight, they were both
in the locker room and there was a curtain between them when Vito started
talking to his trainer. Cyclone Hart could hear him as Vito said; “He kept on
hitting me with that left in my ribs, and I thought to myself, if he hits me
one more time with that left, I’m going to quit. But he never hit me again… I
don’t know why, he just quit hitting me.”
Cyclone
Hart on the other side of the curtain, started to cry… and he quietly said to
his trainer, “I didn’t think my left was getting there.”
Those who ultimately find success when faced
with life’s challenges stick to their plan and don’t allow discouragement to
creep into their heads. They immerse themselves in their process. And they keep
punching. Every. Single. Day.
As some of those side effect pains have crept
back into my world the past couple of months.... I need to remind myself to
keep punching and not get caught up in the discouragement of it all. It’s
important to keep punching because the next one you throw may end up being the
one that turns the tide in your favor and wins you the fight!!
As I work on dealing with the “punches” that
have come my way the past couple months, I’ve also been thinking back to the
encouragement I needed to get over a rough spot or two along the way. I have most
always tried my best to be an encourager for others… and the past couple of
months, as I’ve struggled with some of the ongoing side effects of treatments,
I’ve now, more than ever realized the importance of encouragement coming my way
to help me through those difficult times. I am so very grateful for the encouraging
words that so often come from my Home Team dugout! Just reinforces for me the
importance of encouragement in all our lives.
To me, encouragement represents positive
influence, to give courage to someone — not waiting until it's deserved or
asked for, but taking the initiative when things are difficult and
uncertain. There are probably many synonyms that could used for
encouragement… to give support, confidence or hope to another; to hearten,
cheer, uplift, inspire, motivate, vitalize, embolden, or rally. The impact of
encouragement can be far reaching and often makes a difference in all our
lives. Even neuroscience gives credence to this dynamic... Criticism and
negativity release harmful stress hormones, inhibit concentration, diminish the
brain's executive functioning, and tend to create knee-jerk reactions vs. calm
and rational thinking... (trying my best to avoid that mindset whenever
possible).
I recently read about a wonderful example of a
life fully lived under the “principle of encouragement”. His name was Barnabas,
and I took away a few important lessons from his story in the Bible. Here
are a few thoughts I feel are worth considering...
The first thing about an encourager is that he
or she needs to be “practical”…
Barnabas arrived on the scene as just a regular
"Joe" (Joseph, a Levite), but his nature was so uplifting and
encouraging that the Apostles changed his name to fit his character—Bar (the
Son of) Encouragement. He sold some land and laid the money at the Apostle's
feet. Here were the leaders of the first century church who were trying to take
care of widows and orphans, and what they needed at the time were financial
resources—so practical in the moment.
While attending to someone spiritually is
appropriate and helpful, we shouldn't neglect looking for ways to encourage the
people we care about on practical levels as well. Sometimes we all need a
simple hug, an act of service, a helping hand, or an arm around the shoulder
that says, "I love and care about you." It’s a good reminder to allow
our encouragement to be practical.
An encourager is a “risk taker”…
Barnabas also stood up for Saul when no one else
believed in his conversion and everyone was still afraid of him. He took a risk
when others wanted to reject Saul for his behavior. We need to have the ability
to look past brokenness and pain, and still see God at work in the midst of any
situation. Loving and caring for someone can be risky and often requires us to
move beyond our comfort zones... I’ve often felt we can encourage those we care
about by sharing our vulnerability with them... it seems risky, but it’s the
open and honest sharing of oneself that is encouraging.
An encourager is “others-centered”…
Shortly after arriving in Antioch, Barnabas
turned his thoughts toward his good friend, Saul. He knew he had to share this
blessing and not be consumed with his own sense of self-importance. Inviting
others into our journey underscores the reality that God created us in
relationship and for relationship. He never intended for us to be alone and
take a “solo flight” through life... When tough times come our way that is so
easy to do!! We all need to grow in the
practice of "relational gift-giving”. By encouraging others to make this
moment, this hour, this day, a celebration of who they are, we can help deliver
that important relational gift.
An encourager is “available”…
We often need to understand that more can
depend on a person's availability versus his or her ability. 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!
As I finish my thoughts in this reflection, it
reminds me that we may potentially be the most influential person in someone
else’s life . . . in the best position to support, pray for, believe in, and
journey with him or her in all the ups and downs that may come their way.
The gift of encouragement is within each of us right now… let’s be sure to
use it when we have the opportunity!
Just wanted to share my appreciation for the
encouragement each of you have shared with me on my journey... It’s such a joy
to have you sitting beside me in my Home Team Dugout!! I’m so very grateful for
your encouragement in my life and I’m hopeful I can offer you the same in
return.
Many blessings
your way!
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, visit
the Reflections
from the Home Team Website at:
www.reflectionsfromthehometeam.com/
