MY FATHER HUNG THIS ON MY WALL

From Sports Illustrated

I think the year was 1968

Titled: WHAT DOES A FATHER SAY TO HIS SON BEFORE HIS FIRST GAME.

This is your first game, son.
I hope you win.
I hope you win for your sake
not for mine
Because winning's nice.
It's a good feeling.
Like the whole world
is yours.
But it passes, this feeling.
And what lasts is what
you've learned.

And what you learn about
is life.
That's what sports are all about.
Life.
The whole thing is played out
in an afternoon.
The happiness of life.
The miseries.
The joys.
The heartbreaks.

There's no telling
what'll turn up.
There's no telling
whether they'll toss you
out in the first five minutes
or whether you'll stay for
the long haul.

There's no telling how
you'll do.
You might be a hero
or you might be
absolutely nothing.
There's just no telling.
Too much depends on chance.
On how the ball bounces.

I'm not talking about the
game, son.
I'm talking about life.
But it's life that the game
is all about.
Just as I said.

Because every game is
life.
And life is a game.
A serious one.
Dead serious.

But that's what you do
with serious things.
You do your best.
You take what comes.
You take what comes
and you run with it.

Winning is fun.
Sure.
But winning is not
the point.

Wanting to win is the
point.
Not giving up is the
point.
Never being satisfied
with what you've done
is the point.
Never letting up
is the point.
Never letting anyone down
is the point.

Play to win.
Sure.
But lose like
a champion.
Because it's not winning
that counts.
What counts is
trying.

SHALL WE CONTINUE, SLOWLY

I have not been able to sit in front of this tool and generate any interest in our little debate due to the constraints of time. The production of my subjective material will be delayed this Sabbath morning. This is the designated point in time when much of my messages and thoughts are written. Yes of course I know it’s Saturday, have you not been reading the Blog! So it is, that the thing called Little League has pushed ahead of Blogging. In other words, ya don’t just get assigned the job of pitching coach, and go out and coach. Fact is, I have pitched. Fast pitch softball. Didn’t have a clue how to teach a 7 year old how to pitch a baseball. That’s right, baby! I’ve been researching! “My” great success, already, was my own grandson who pitched for the first time two weeks ago. Two innings of no run baseball. That’s right, IT WAS ALL ME! The following game they scored 10 runs on him and there is a five run rule for each inning. Guess I need to do some more research.

All kidding aside, sports is an area that we as parents and grand parents have the opportunity to instill some of the lessons in life that stay with our children throughout their lives. I must get back to it because, REALLY!, I don’t have a clue.

But, I do want to continue with our discussion and I have decided in lieu of my normal expostulations, I will introduce a Biblical text on which we all can comment on as part of the subject matter and can return to at any time as a reference for any future point being established.

So, here is the first one (with no comment today, back to baseball)

2 Corinthians 9: 6-12

6) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

7) Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

8) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

9) As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” (Psalms 112: 9, but read 1-10)

10) Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for the food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

11) You will be made rich in everyway so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through, as your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

12) This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of Gods people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

Now you all have a good Sabbath and/or I'll see you in church tomorrow. Oh! I am SO in trouble with God!