“Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty.”– Proverbs 14:23 (New Living Translation)What does it take to be great? Is there one secret that allowed Ted Williams to become baseball’s greatest hitter? What was it that allowed Hank Aaron to be the most consistent home run hitter of his era? Did Nolan Ryan, the record holder for career strikeouts, know something that other pitchers didn’t?
“For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.”– Philippians 1:20-21 (New Living Translation)Expectations.
“We are confident that as you share our sufferings,you will also share in the comfort God gives us.”– 2 Corinthians 1:7There are times in our lives when we are tempted to lose hope. No one is immune. Sometimes life kicks us in the gut and we want to scream those words coaches hate to hear, “I quit!” In times like these, it’s easy to just pack it up and retreat into a world of self-pity and hopelessness. What’s the use?
“The father of godly children has cause for joy.What a pleasure to have children who are wise.”– Proverbs 23:24I am the father of two fine sons. When the youngest left home for college, my wife and I entered a new phase in our lives. The “empty nest” was a reality and I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss them. After years of adjusting schedules, attending ball games and constant “action”, it was quiet.
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.– Colossians 3:12Influence. As coaches we have it. The critical question that each of us must answer is, “How are we using it?” I ran across an article recently titled, “Encouraging Coaches”, which recognized several coaches who have had a lasting influence on their athletes.
“No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again.