Reflections from the Home Team May 30, 2020

“No person should live with this type of daily fear each and every day. This is what I feel as a black man. Memories of fear from 30 years ago should not rushing back like this. I have a young son who is going to one day grow up into a young man. What will I tell him? He should not have the same fears in this new age. America, we have to do better.”

Tyrone Brooks

Greetings from Cedar Falls,

I am extremely saddened by the tragic events that have taken place in Minneapolis as well as around the country this past week beginning with the death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody.  Those events have sparked both outrage and fear in our nation.

A post from a good friend drove it home for me… The post came from Tyrone Brooks, a baseball friend for many years.  Tyrone and I worked together as he joined the Atlanta Braves Organization as my scouting supervisor here in the Midwest. I have watched his professional career progress over the years through several organizations to his current position with Major League Baseball as MLB’s Senior Director of the Diversity Pipeline Program. This was a new position created by the commissioner to stimulate greater diversity at baseball’s administrative levels. Just as important, I have watched Tyrone raise a beautiful family while always working to impact other’s lives in a positive way. Tyrone has always looked at his work as an opportunity to do something bigger than himself… something I have always known and admired about him.

Tyrone writes:

"True story...You never forget the feeling.... the flashing blue and white lights seen in the rear-view mirror, the pulsing heart rate as the cop car approaches, your body tensing up. What will happen next? Will I be harmed? Will I live another day?

Just yesterday (May 29th) I was driving, and two cop cars started approaching from the rear. Was I speeding? I thought I was doing the speed limit. I could feel my heartbeat starting to race. That same feeling when I got my first speeding ticket nearly thirty years ago not long after the Rodney King beating came immediately rushing back. Will I get beat too?

As the cop cars started getting closer, I started to pull over and I could feel my mouth going dry. My mind started racing. Do I have my license? Do I have proof of registration with me? Just be calm and collected. I want to live! Seconds later   the two cop cars blow past me as I made my way to the shoulder.... finally, I can breathe again.

No person should live with this type of daily fear each and every day. This is what I feel as a black man. Memories of fear from 30 years ago should not be rushing back like this. I have a young son who is going to one day grow up into a young man. What will I tell him? He should not have the same fears in this new age. America, we have to do better."

Tyrone’s friendship has been a blessing to me over the years and he is right, we have to do better!  While baseball continues to break down barriers that often separate people, baseball also gives us so many life lessons we can draw from; and I’ve learned and taught many of them. This event is no exception as life lessons are being learned from this situation by people we love and support in all our communities. As Jackie Robinson stated; “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

As Christians, we have been taught to hold no preconceived notions about different groups of people. We're not to be judgmental, or racist, or prejudiced against people who look different. Right? Well, that’s what I’ve been taught, but I was recently challenged to spend a day “recognizing” my first thought about every person I came across who didn’t look like me in a parking lot, in a car or while shopping… I was to note the first thought that popped into my head. (Given the current Covid 19 situation, that first thought often revolved around are they contagious?) – but after that, I began to realize that I did have some preconceived notions about people who may look different than me. I think we all have some of them.

This challenge has made me determined to fight any predetermined perceptions I may experience on any given day, labels I may have placed on people without even knowing it. Stereotypes and judgments based on appearance are everywhere and usually begin at a very young age because of our upbringing and environment. I hope to do my part in stopping this in future generations, because God truly doesn't care about skin colors. God loves diversity!

I recently read that there are between 25,000 and 35,000 genes in every human cell and up to forty trillion cells in the human body! Somewhere between 100 to 378 genes are involved in the production of melanin—the pigment responsible for skin color. And this same melanin also determines our hair and eye color. God, in His perfectness, put together a formula, so small it can only be realized under high efficiency microscopes, just to create variety in His prized creation. It was no accident He orchestrated us in such a way that every human is unique. He programmed the genes from which all our variations come from… This was what He wanted.

Every ethnicity is the beautiful handiwork of God’s creative mind. His abundance of creativity pushes beyond our human understanding. A variety of skin colors gives Him glory for the vastness of His imagination! And we don’t have to look solely at humans to see evidence of this. Diversity is found in all of His creation. Trees. Flowers. Birds. Horses. Dogs. All glorify God and should be celebrated.

As Colossians 3:11 states, “Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.” And Romans 10:12 says, “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

And notice what He leaves out. He does not categorize any of these groups by their skin color. Why? Because He loves everyone the same. He made each beautiful and unique according to His infinite creative mind. If we are Christ-followers, we are called to be like Jesus, so we must work diligently to fight against labeling people by the color of their skin. God wants us to love each other in the same way that He loves – unconditionally. In fact, God wants us to love in such a way that the people around us will know we are fully devoted followers of Christ. Love is an ongoing and very deliberate choice – not an emotion or a feeling. Let’s choose to love those who may cross our paths each day the way Jesus loves each of us.

One of my favorite baseball quotes comes from a friend who I have scouted with for years. When I was diagnosed with cancer, he told me to “Live life like a 3-1 count”.  For those who may not understand what that means in baseball “lingo” it means when you’re a hitter and the count is three balls and one strike, you’re in control of the at-bat, the pitcher has to throw a strike or you get on base with a walk, it’s your time to take a big swing! I challenge you all to live life like a 3-1 count and take a big swing when the opportunity to do something positive presents itself in helping eliminate the fear that Tyrone described in his post. Our future generations will be better if we do and America will be better for it!

Blessings to all!

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/

Reflections from the Home Team - May 2, 2020

“Our future is always uncertain… and as we find ourselves facing major life transitions in this pandemic environment, and sometimes feeling lost, stuck, confused or aimless, remember - these are all signs of an invitation for growth. This is a time between the ‘what was’ and the ‘next‘, a time of transition, a season of waiting, and not knowing.” Richard Rohr

Greetings from Cedar Falls!

One of the things that has upset me about this global pandemic is the uncertainty it has brought into our lives. I have been having some issues recently due to ongoing side effects I have been experiencing since treatments and I have a sense that my life on this earth has at times been an “endurance” contest. I look at it that way because then I’m not shocked or disappointed by the number of trials encountered along the way. I guess I may be focused more on that now given our current situation. Ultimately life is very short. None of us knows when it is time for us to go. Our time on this earth is shortened every moment, whether we like it or not, and once a moment is gone, it is gone forever.

I recently read a piece from author/theologian Fr. Richard Rohr which has really helped me through this difficult time.  He has been a morning quiet time “main stay” for me over the years.  His focus was on one of his editor/authors who received a cancer diagnosis two years ago which required a difficult surgery. Like many individuals who face serious health challenges, she allowed the painful and challenging experience to transform and guide her to greater wisdom. Obviously, I related to that as a cancer survivor, but I also connected it to the current situation we are all facing with the virus pandemic.

In the piece, Sheryl Fullerton, a cancer victim, talks about “Liminal Space”. The word liminal comes from the Latin word ‘limen’, meaning threshold – any point or place of entering or beginning. A liminal space is the time between the ‘what was’ and the ‘next.’ It is a place of transition, a season of waiting, and not knowing. Sounds an awful lot like what we are all going through right now!

Fr. Rohr describes “Liminal Space” this way:

“This is the sacred space where the old world is able to fall apart, and a bigger world is revealed. If we don’t encounter liminal space in our lives, we start idealizing normalcy. The threshold is God’s waiting room.”

These thresholds of waiting and not knowing our ‘next’ are everywhere in life, especially these days, and they are inevitable. Each usher in a new chapter of life and holds varying degrees of disruption. Whatever the change, it’s a seismic shift for us as our future seems uncertain.

Change never exists in a box…No matter how hard we might try to contain it, change in one area of life spills into others. There is a ripple effect. Community, careers, spirituality, vocation, relationships, our physical well-being, friendships and emotions do not exist mutually exclusive from one another—they all intersect with each other. For me, that has been pretty obvious over the past couple months. When we become aware of our liminality, many of us, if we’re honest, don’t know who to become or how to navigate the transition. We often miss the real potential of ‘in-between’ places – we either stand paralyzed or we flee the “terrible cloud of unknown.”

When thinking about this, I couldn’t help but recall a book I read a year or so ago that put this in perspective for me.  In fact, I pulled it off my shelf and began reading it again. The book is titled The Closer: My Story by Mariano Rivera, probably the greatest relief pitcher of all time who shares his extraordinary story of survival, love, and of course, baseball. The man who intimidated thousands of batters merely by opening a bullpen door, began his incredible journey as the son of a poor Panamanian fisherman. When first scouted by the Yankees, he didn't even own his own glove. He thought he might make a good mechanic. When discovered, he had never flown in an airplane, had never heard of Babe Ruth, spoke no English, and couldn't imagine Tampa, the city where he was headed to begin a career that would become one of baseball's most iconic pitchers.

What he did know was that he loved his family and his girlfriend, Clara, that he could trust in the Lord to guide him, and that he could throw a baseball exactly where he wanted to, every time. With astonishing candor, Rivera tells the story of the championships, and the struggles of being a Latino baseball player in the United States while maintaining Christian values in professional athletics.

Mariano represents to me the concept of how to make the most of liminal space. He is a classic example of walking through “what was” and into “what is to become”. His story shares how he encountered a number of challenges/pain along the way, going from a poverty stricken, dirt poor son of a Panamanian fisherman who actually caught the eye of a Yankee scout while throwing rocks on the beach to the best reliever baseball has ever known… Quite the “transformation”!

The only player to be elected unanimously to the National Baseball Hall of Fame had a rough first nine months in Yankee pinstripes, a stretch that lasted between May 1995 and spring training the following year, when he was shelled in his major league debut, demoted to the minors and was almost shipped to Seattle as part of a trade package during the beginning of the Joe Torre era.

The Panamanian-born right hander says that those early setbacks, in particular being sent down to Triple-A with Derek Jeter on the same day early in their careers, were “pivotal” moments that helped shape his character and Hall of Fame resume. He obviously used his “liminal space” wisely!  He shattered bats, struck out 1,173 batters during the regular season, and gained respect throughout baseball due to both his dominance and humble nature. Rivera has spent his post-baseball life building a church in New Rochelle, near where he lives, and continues to expand his ministry, charitable efforts and foundation work.

As Fr. Rohr points out, our future is always uncertain… and as we find ourselves facing major life transitions in this pandemic environment, and sometimes feeling lost, stuck, confused or aimless, remember - these are all signs of an invitation for growth. This is a time between the ‘what was’ and the ‘next ‘, a time of transition, a season of waiting, and not knowing. Just as Mariano used his “liminal space” to improve his game and life skills, we can successfully transition during this time if we learn how to wait and listen while working on bettering ourselves and developing a clear path forward.

The good news is that you don’t have to go through transition alone! This doesn’t have to be something you endure and survive. I think the following  verse from James 1:12 says it best... “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

I can relate to that thought as I reflect on some of the trials I have faced along the way in my life. Even in the midst of some of my hardest times, the joy of God’s presence has always been available to me. The “crown of life“ seems similar to the wreath that was awarded for athletic victory in biblical times, and yes, even the first unanimous selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame for Mariano. Those athletes were competing for a perishable crown of greenery, and in James 1:12, God has promised to give His reward of the “crown of life” that will never fade away to all who love Him, despite what trials we may face in this life.

I am trying my best not to obsess about these problems and continue to  bring them to God in prayer. I know God is near me, and instead of wasting time worrying, I am devoting my time trusting Him to supply what I need, when I need it to get through this. I am praying that He will equip me to handle whatever comes my way. He is the God who provides, and I plan to rest there, each day, right smack in the middle of all His abundance.

Wishing you a wonderful, safe and joy filled day in the middle of all the craziness going on around us. Remember, Jesus dwells within us and transforms us into new beings, which guides us and empowers us to live a good and beautiful life.

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/

Reflections from the Home Team - April 23, 2020

“So, if you aren’t okay, it’s okay. It’s okay to be scared, frustrated and feel down. You just don’t want to stay there too long and allow these feelings to take you down a spiral staircase of depression and despair. The key is to find the optimism, hope and faith to keep going and create a better future.”

Jon Gordon

Greetings from Cedar Falls!

I think we would all agree that the past few weeks have been a unique time for all of us. I know I have received several messages from good friends about how the Covid 19 isolation and social distancing has impacted them and their families in a “not so positive” way.  In fact, a couple of them have used the analogy that they are in a “slump” because of it.  Ages of those sharing concerns with me range from 6 to 60, so it’s certainly a potential concern for everyone, regardless of age...

For those of you who are not familiar with the term “slump”, here’s a quick refresher…  In baseball, a batter can be defined as "slumping" when he has gotten few or no hits over a period, and his batting average during that time is far below that of his expectations. Even the best of hitters frequently experience hitting slumps. (I’ve been there a number of times…)

I recall one spring season in particular where I was rolling along, seeing the ball well and hitting it hard consistently, when all of a sudden, I went 0 for 18 in my next 18 at bats… Am I going too fast for you? OK, let me say it again for you a bit more slowly – that’s 0 for 18!  A “zero” and then a “one” with an “eight” next to it. Eighteen at bats, zero hits, OUCH!

So how did I go about fixing or getting out of the slump? I was certainly getting "a lot of advice” from coaches, teammates, fans and friends related to the mechanics of my swing, all well intentioned of course, but not effective. I didn’t need to get out of my hitting mechanics, I needed to get out of my hitting slump!  I needed to get into my own head and work on my mindset, going from where I was while in a slump; tense, impatient, anxious and anticipating bad results to a point where I was performing at my best and crushing the ball again.

As I’ve mentioned, every player, sooner or later, will run into a long hitting slump. It happens to youth players as well as Hall of Fame professionals. In fact, we know players can expect to run into multiple slumps throughout their careers — if not a single season!  Some of this is due to luck. Much of it comes down to remaining positive and continuing to utilize a good “approach”. But slumps happen due to things both within and outside of a player’s control.  Kind of like the Covid 19 pandemic…

One thing I’ve learned and taken to heart since cancer is to not worry about things that are not in my control! In baseball, sometimes the opposition makes an amazing defensive play. Sometimes the umpire makes a bad call. Sometimes you’re just hit with a bout of dumb luck. We can’t get down when these things happen. All are outside of our control. Stressing over things that are outside of our control is pointless and will only make things worse.

Probably the single biggest reason a player will fall into a prolonged slump is a loss of confidence. A person’s frame of mind will always impact performance and a lack of confidence will almost always lead to poor results. Confidence can change everything! By staying positive and continuing to take a good approach, things will turn around! As a “player” in both baseball and the game of life who has gone through a number of personal “slumps”, I have always tried to provide some additional attention and support to anyone I see “slumping” to help keep them thinking positively. We can all do the same by staying connected with those we love and care about, even if it’s digitally as we follow the guidelines established as we move forward in our current reality.

I recently received a note from a good friend who runs a baseball instructional school in Texas.  We go back a long way, as he was one of my first High School players at Sioux City Heelan High School where I began my coaching career. Tim and I have stayed in touch over the years as he works with young players of all ages, not only teaching them solid baseball skills, but also sharing his passion and life lessons learned from the game. Tim writes:

Hi Coach, 

Hope you're doing well during this crazy time. We're doing well down here, just tired of being cooped up. I was wondering if you would do me a favor please?  One of the littlest guys I have is having a tough time with all this quarantine stuff. Sam is 6yrs old. Most of the time kids that age should be worried about nothing more than what the snack is after the game.  Sam is a true baseball fan. His first lesson he told me how many days it was until spring training started.  He eats sleeps and breaths baseball. 

Anyway, I'm trying to find something a little different for Sam to boost his spirits a bit. If I send you a video of one of his swings would you mind making a few comments for me? Just the fact that his swing was looked at by a scout for the Braves should keep a smile on his face for a bit. 

Thanks,

Tim

As you can see from Tim’s note, he has his priorities in the right place. His concern for young Sam is not just about his hitting mechanics, but rather about how he can lift 6-year-old Sam’s spirits in this time of isolation and quarantine. 

I did respond to the video that Tim sent of Sam’s swing, breaking down Sam’s mechanics and added some positive words of encouragement. Sam’s mom sent back a thank you for helping place a smile back on Sam’s face, and I think we may have picked up yet another Braves fan in the process.

Sam, probably like most of us, is going through a wide range of emotions where many of the norms and guidelines we have lived by have changed dramatically. You may have felt denial, anger and sadness over the past month or so leading you into a “mental slump” as well.  I want to reassure you that is OK!  As always seems to be the case, my favorite author, Jon Gordon has some wisdom to share on this topic in a recent post titled IT’S OK TO NOT BE OKAY.

Jon Writes:

IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY

It’s okay to not be okay. You never want to ignore or deny how you feel. Being positive doesn’t mean you suck it up and put a fake smile on your face. It’s okay to go through a wide range of emotions and feel the stages of grief. You might have felt denial, anger, sadness, acceptance and meaning over the last 4 to 5 weeks. Actually, you might even feel these stages and emotions in the course of a day. There’s no rule book on how to feel during the course of a global pandemic where the rules and social norms of our lives have changed. You were used to seeing your colleagues at the office, hugging your friends, going to church, taking your kids to school, eating at restaurants, going to sporting events, rooting for your favorite pro baseball or basketball team, gathering with friends, petting your neighbors dogs... and now you can’t. You’re not used to seeing a daily ticker on the television screen counting the deaths of people around the world and in your country and seeing daily images of people in hospitals... and now you are. So, if you aren’t okay, it’s okay. It’s okay to be concerned about the loss of life, the condition of our economy and the expansion of authoritarian government policies. Some act like you have to pick one but it’s okay to concerned about all three simultaneously. It’s okay to be scared, frustrated and feel down. You just don’t want to stay there too long and allow these feelings to take you down a spiral staircase of depression and despair. The key is to find the optimism, hope and faith to keep going and create a better future. This is not about seeing the world through rose colored glasses. This is knowing you have the power to overcome the thorns. You have the power to shift your perspective and turn your pain into purpose and struggle into strength. One day I honestly was letting everything get the best of me. I realized my worry, fear, sadness and anger weren’t going to help me be my best or bring out the best in others. So, I decided I wasn’t going to buy the doom and gloom being sold and told on the news and social media. Instead I was going to invest in faith, love and hope. Everything changed after that. The biggest compliment I receive is that people will tell me I helped them keep going when they wanted to give up and I hope these words do this for you today. Winston Churchill said, “If you are going through hell, don’t stop. Keep going!” In other words, feel your feelings, give yourself permission to not be okay and then empower yourself with the tools you need to keep moving forward so you can be okay. Keep believing, keep working, keep going! Jon

As we face the “slumps” that may come our way in this life, let’s invest in each other with faith, hope and love. As 1 Corinthians 13:13 shares; “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 

There's no doubt that each of these virtues — faith, hope, and love — has great value.  Faith is what motivates us to move forward even when the odds are against us. Hope keeps us moving forward, it’s what fuels us to face those difficult challenges and love is at the foundation for every good thing in our lives. Without love, nothing else matters.

May we serve each other in this manner in the days and weeks ahead!

Blessings your way!

Be safe 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/

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/