Come on - GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER

I felt like crying for the scene in front of me. They stood almost lifeless with their gloves hanging from their sides. They stood at different positions on the field – almost like statues not moving. Once in a while they moved a little to indicate they were still alive. Their team was being totally “whumped” by the other team.

These are boys between 12 and 13 years old. Some are big and some are smaller. Most are still uncoordinated and rather clumsy as they deal with rapid growth spurts. All of them deal with the internal feelings that are showing up regularly.

This was the first game for “our team”. The other team’s guys were bigger and often times better. The other team had practiced – that was evident. This game was our team’s first meeting. Some knew each others and others did not. Our team’s pitchers were changed each inning – so was each position on the field on our team – their team didn’t do that as often – indicating that they kind of knew who played best at each position.

I wasn’t totally sure who the coach was. There seemed to be advisors at different stages for the team. One man that had shown up at last year’s games yelling a lot at his son. He was there with a score card in hand. He was calling for a batting order and seemed to be sending people to different positions on the field. My son-in-law was calling out to the players on the field giving instructions as to where to play. At times he was a little louder than anyone else… ahem… but he had to do it. If he had not – I was ready to scream – “Get your act together! Come on buddy – LOOK ALIVE!”

Then there was a mom dressed in blue jeans and standing beside the baseball bats and helmets. Her arms are crossed and she is not moving or saying anything. She turns and smiles once in a while and then back to the quiet spot – not moving.

Meet the coach of our team. She has been “chosen” to lead this nefarious group of young teens. She is going to do something to lead her team. When? I couldn’t figure that one out.

The coach’s son was one of the most listless on the field. His glove hung the lowest and he was not there most of the time. This was not his idea to play baseball. It was evident that he knew how to put on the baseball uniform – but that may have been all he knew to do. When he missed the ball rolling towards him, as he stood on second base – it was painful. It was even more painful when he did it five more times. Each time he kind of walked over to the ball to pick it up… well maybe he did jog a little… but this boy was “slow-mode-Joe”. When he did pick up the ball and try to throw it – he did it with a limp arm. Most of the time the ball bounced slowly passed the person that he threw it to…

I did want to desperately scream, “It’s okay dude… you can quit anytime… go get your skate board and enjoy yourself… the computer game baseball is easier… GO HOME… Please go home…!” But I bit my lip hard.

My son-in-law was not so easily biting his lip. He yelled out to the limp offender, “Come on… look ALIVE second baseman – WE ARE PLAYING BASEBALL HERE…. Bend over, crouch like you want to catch the ball… look alive… COME ON….!” Then my son-in-law strode over to the coach and said… “Coach we need a practice Sunday night – is that okay with you?” She limply answered, “okay…”

Analysis…
The coach was having trouble with her son at home. He is into things that that are not so good for him. He does not want to be there. Neither does she. But when she showed up for the initial meeting to register her son – no other adult was available to coach this unprepared team of boys (and two girls). She took the job.

Some of the other boys were in the same mode as their second baseman was… they would far rather be at home with their X-Box games… or far away that evening at the skateboard park – which was just across from the baseball park.

Some the kids wanted to play and loved the game. They hung their heads when the guys let the ball slide past them on the ground and one more run was scored for the other team.

The two girls were not as strong as the boys… in fact the other team’s pitcher saw the dilemma, took mercy out of his glove and each time one of the two girls stood to bat the young lad threw the ball slower for the batter. They still missed. Their swing took place as the back catcher caught the ball.

Analysis – don’t go to more baseball games until it all settles down or they have an opportunity to practice. A grandpa cannot sit still and not say something loudly… and being a minister there is a certain decorum that is insisted on by your wife sitting beside you. People know who you are – whether you like it or not!

A Real Live Sermon Illustration…
Last evening as we sat at the side trying to support what we watched going on… wanting desperately to do something to help them – it was hard.

This morning early I thought of angels. They stand, sit, lay there watching mankind play his game. I still like the idea of them positioned on clouds cheering us on. If there are no clouds – like last night they must have been there jumping up and down at the side lines. They were likely shouting, “Come on Murray, you can do it. Bite your lip. Show kindness and support. Come on you can do it…!”

As the angels watch they know our potential for good stuff – but also see our ridiculous inability. Often times my reactions are much like the poor coach’s kid on second base – arms hanging limply and just not interested in what is happening around me.

Today I need a little practice… how about you. The Coach is waiting and so is the game of today. Have a great big practice day in the Lord!

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~