“No Crying in Baseball…?” – Finding Security that Lasts
My son, Anchor, and I were watching a Spring Training game last week. It was late in the game and the Mariners (our team) were losing by one run. We managed to get the bases loaded with two outs. A hit would give us a slight lead, or an ever-spectacular Grand Slam would give us a 3-run lead and possibly seal the victory. We watched as the batter worked a full count. The pitcher threw some kind of breaking fastball and…swing and a miss, inning over, the game goes on…but not for Anchor, who began weeping in my arms. Head buried in my shoulder, arms around my neck, soaking my shirt in hot tears, saying “I just wanted him to get a HIT!!”
Struck by his beautiful, raw honesty I started to laugh but stopped myself. Becky and I shared a glance and a smile, and I had to admit to her if I was being honest, I kinda wanted to cry too. But Tom Hanks taught all of us children of the 90’s “There’s no CRYING in BASEBALL!!”
I have learned to put on masks to hide my excitement, disappointment, or fear; but not my son. At 3 years old he hasn’t felt any need to hide who he is or what he is feeling or hold back what he is thinking. Now, I do want him to learn the emotional resilience that will prevent me from needing to scrape him off of home plate every time he strikes out, because striking out is part of baseball. Babe Ruth, for example, hit 714 home runs in his 14 year career; he also struck out 1,330 times. (baseball-reference.com) What I do not want is for Anchor to be jaded, guarded, or inauthentic. You never hit the ball without swinging the bat. You never win if you never try. You never love without opening up to hurt.
This week we look at the idol of security. In Luke 12 Jesus is urged to use his platform to make one brother share an inheritance with the other brother; Jesus instead gives them a stern warning about greed. He then tells a story of a farmer who had a successful year, more grain than he could possibly store! The farmer’s response was to build bigger barns so he can keep it all for himself and for his own pleasure! And then, before he can put down a single foundation, he dies. “So it is,” Jesus wraps up the story, “with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:21)
Then Luke’s gospel takes us into the heart of what Jesus wants us to remember: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.” (12:22,23)
What we want in life is to be unassailable. We want bigger cars, bigger homes, bigger bank accounts, thicker skin, all so we can feel like we are in control. But we aren’t in control.
We worry about what others will think of us: Did we say the right thing? Wear the right clothes? React the right way? Will I be accepted, respected and loved? How much of myself do I have to change, what do I have to buy for you to like me? But “in” and “out” change so rapidly…
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (12:32)
There’s nothing wrong with owning things, but do the things own you? It is good to have self-control of your emotions, but are you creating a wall between yourself and sharing authentic feelings? Are you willing to walk away from something that is stealing your joy or the joy of someone you love? Are you willing to be vulnerable so that someone else can be made secure?
“Instead, strive for God’s kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (12:31)