The last softball game of the year was this morning. It was the final tournament playoff game of the COVID-19 adapted season of 2020. Of the four Callas grand children playing ball, Lucy, and her team, The Bomb Squad, were the last players standing. It was the only game on the Goodlettsville quad. For once parking was easy.
The last two innings were championship exciting; the Bomb Squad captured the lead in the fourth inning (12-10), but the other team had the last bat. And, alas, the Bomb Squad bombed. What makes this game worth writing about? Lucy! Not just any Lucy, our eight-year-old Lucy. Our Lucy has two personalities. One she uses when she is at our house and the other on the softball field. While at home, or our house, she is loud, very loud. She is in constant motion usually in pursuit of her little brother. She leaves a trail of dirt, crumbs, open doors, abandoned toys, articles of clothing, and refuge wherever she goes.
But on the softball field she is quiet, subdued, and controlled. She plays right field. Because most of the girls are right-handed, she seldom gets the opportunity to play the ball defensively. But when she does, it is well played. Offensively, she has a small problem; speed, the lack of it. She seems to always be running uphill. But she runs until the play is over and is alert to her coach’s guidance. There is one other attribute she brings to the team; apart from two at-bats out of 41, Lucy put the ball into play every time she came to the plate the whole season. Speed being what it is, she was out at first base more than once. But she always moved the players ahead a base or two. That is my “grand player.”
After this final game, Lucy was awarded a unique trophy, the “1,000% Award.” It was the first award of this type given in this league. I have never heard of it before this morning. The Bomber’s coaches gave her the award because Lucy never complained, always worked on identified weaknesses and improved with their instruction, and always ran on and off the field. I would guess her bat helped some.
I told her after receiving the trophy, “Of all the awards you will win in life, this 1,000% award will be most valuable. No one in our family has ever received such a high award. I am so happy for you and proud of you.” She did not have a reaction to my words, she still had on her game face. Plus, I do not think she knew how to react to all the accolades people were giving her.
I give you this story because I am so boastfully proud of Lucy. But more, I am humbled. I have never won an effort award. I am challenged, I have a great desire to deserve such an award. I do not believe God expects perfect performance from us, but I do believe He would like to see our maximum effort. We do not need to be the most talented player on the field; but we do need to be in the game, the whole game, and every game. Accomplishments do not develop character, effort does.
I wonder what we mean when we pray as Jesus taught us; “Your kingdom come; your will be done”? Does my effort have anything to do with that request being fulfilled? Or, does “our Father who is in heaven” just cause it to happen because I gave Him permission?
I am also wondering if Jesus was talking about accomplishment or effort when he put into the parable, “well done good and faithful servant.”?
Today, Lucy is my mentor. My eight-year-old little girl has set the bar high. You have given me something very important. Thank you, Lucy! You are greatly loved!
Baldwin Heirlooms 