Have you noticed that the world seems to be in extra turmoil? Wars, earthquakes, storms. Crazy people doing crazy things. Some crazy person killed a dear friend's family member on Maundy Thursday. (I know some of you may object to using the word 'crazy.' Sorry. But when someone shoots and kills someone else who is simply walking across a college campus just because he wants to kill someone, well that is crazy. Sue me if you like.) Everything is going weird. So, when the suggestion is made to go to a high school girls' softball game, you grab at it because in that is some normalcy.
You see, I used to go to games and meets all the time. I had a pretty nice Youth group and they were into everything. Football, cross country, volleyball, girls and boys basketball, girls and boys track, baseball and softball. Even.....soccer.😒 And plays and concerts and 4H events. And it was fun. Well, maybe not soccer, so much, but they were my kids. Of course, eventually I got older and sick and going to games became problematic. But now it is different, so when the chance came up, I slapped on the old ball cap (sunburning my bald head is not an option) and climbed into the car.
Marsha's brother Joe coached girls' softball at his high school alma mater for a decade. He loved coaching and did really well there. He liked it so much that he coached traveling teams and all levels of the sport. He got involved when his daughter started and just kept going. He took it very seriously and became a top notch coach.
And then, at the close of the 2024 high school season, he stepped down. A very respected coach, he was getting older, energy levels not what they had once been, some health issues. Time to give it a rest. As the 2025 season approached he got a little wistful, but the alma mater had a new coach. Maybe he would go and watch a couple of games but, sigh, that would be it.
But hold on there, bubba! In March the phone rang. A small school was in need of a coach. Could Joe help out? Next thing you know he is jumping in the truck and heading out on the 40 minute drive to that small school in need. Didn't even tell his wife. Had no clue about the program there, or even if they had a program. Someone needed a Coach!
Joe is the kind of coach who demands a lot from his players but is so caring and considerate that his players want to meet his demands. It is a natural thing with him. When he called all excited a few nights ago and passed the news that his girls were going to be playing for their league championship, I was surprised, but only a little. So, I decided to go to the game.
I took Marsha and off we went. It was quite a drive, but the car did the work. We got to the field, found some really good seats and settled in. Both teams were warming up. You really can't tell much about a team in warm-ups. They catch, they throw, they laugh and have a good time. But then the game starts.
Joe's team was the home team, so they took the field first. The girls ran to their positions. Meanwhile, the girls who were not starting ran wind sprints down the right field line. I sat back. "Interesting." "What's interesting?" "Joe's girls really hustle out there." The top half of the first inning went pretty quick. When the sides changed, the other team walked out to their positions. The girls on the bench sat there gabbing. "Interesting." "What?" "Joe's girls are going to blow them out." "How can you tell that?" "Because teams that hustle win games and championships. Teams that don't hustle, lose." I know, I know. Just a generalization. Doesn't mean anything. Except Joe's team won 13-3, and it really wasn't even that close. One situation stands out; a girl doubles and is on second. The next girl draws a walk. But then the girl on second sees the lackadaisical attitude of the catcher and breaks for third. Meanwhile, the girl who drew the walk has been sprinting to first. She sees the girl on second go and the girl who drew the walk doesn't even slow down as she rounds first. The catcher is caught unaware and is confused. Both girls get to their bases ahead of the throw and instead of runners on first and second they are on second and third. The next hitter gets a base hit and both girls score. Hustle.
How does that deserve a blog?
A lot of churches have lost their hustle because the people in the pews have lost their hustle. We are going to have our get-togethers and special services, we are going to bury our old and marry our young and we are going to be in church on Sunday, maybe. The older folks are going to rest and relax in the same pew they have been wearing out for decades and the younger ones are going to be dissatisfied and leave to go to that other church that is doing something. That other church is hustling. It is not just Sunday for them, it is every day. Things are happening, things are moving. And it has less to do with the style of service than with the attitude of the people.
It starts with personal prayer. Next is personal commitment to be of service to the Lord. And then, serving the Lord. Of course, I am stepping on some toes. But did you pray today? Did you read the Word today? Did you share some of the Lord's love with someone today? Have you shown your Christianity?
You aren't too old, you aren't too tired, you aren't too sick, you aren't too weak. The Lord has just the right job for you to do!