Stephen Anthony Ray

Perhaps one of the purest joys in America is the joy of seeing kids play baseball. As they learn about hard work, teamwork, and good sportsmanship, what a blessing that I get to be part of something so wonderfully fulfilling. However, one of the saddest things is to see success hungry coaches attempt to live or relive their own selfish dreams vicariously through the kids on their team. They make baseball miserable, yelling at kids for honest mistakes and embarrassing them in front of their teammates, using such guilt as a motivation to be better. But, really, things only get worse. I’ve personally watched plenty of children over several years of playing baseball; how they started out loving the game. But when their parents or dad make things way too serious, they spoiled the child’s perception of a beautiful game. Certainly, kids should be taught how to win. But, we’ve come to focus way too much on the results…and not the means to get there. Good lesson for life, don’t you think?

SRay

Dude, I umpired 6 games today, 4 behind the plate. It was upper 90s today with a Heat Index of more than 100 degrees. My feet have never hurt so bad or been so swollen in my life. I can barely even keep my eyes open, I’m so tired. I could go on and on complaining, but I can’t. I have to go to sleep so I can do it all over again tomorrow. Good thing I love my job. By the way, I ejected player today for plowing over the catcher on a play at the plate. Remember what I was saying last post about their “Field of Dreams”. Well, it looks for some of these, this is their field of frustrations. More on that later…

SRay

As you know, I’m an umpire. And today marks the beginning of the largest tournament that I will see all year, the Super Series 11u National Championship. Literally from all across the United States, a ton of 11 year old kids will be playing some awesome baseball the entire week. I’m actually quite honored that I get be a part of of something that is really quite comparable to a dream in most people’s minds. You ought to see the look in their eyes as they step on the field or walk around the ballpark. Nationals! It’s their Field of Dreams.

SRay

Failure. And now, what? A choice; one that counters my all too repetitive past. Begin again, right here and right now. No waiting and no sulking, but only beginning. I’ve asked the Lord to walk with me to where he wants me to be. And then, I fell off the path. So, get back up and back on. And stay. For though this path is narrow and constantly winding, I must stay. Though other, better looking paths entice my flesh, I must stay. Though this path leads me through dark places; through dry deserts and painful, scorching sun, I must stay. Through all that comes on the path, I must stay. For I’ve asked the Lord to walk with me to where he wants me to be. And on this path and on my leader must I stay focused. I must stay.

SRay

Let me fall so in love with you, Father, that I learn to know you completely, like you know me. So completely that you when you speak, I feel your very breath on my neck. So passionately that when you hurt, I feel your pain and the pain of others. So faithfully that when you exhort, my life adapts to your word then and there. Let me know you, dear Father, that I may experience the fullness of life through the very one who has created it.

SRay