It’s Monday evening and the Memorial Day weekend is coming to a close. In reflecting on a weekend which was a complete blur, I found it interesting how many of the events of the weekend included people in very different stages of life. Ecclesiastes 9:11 came to mind as well.
I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.
Friday night, I watched “the boy” called on to pitch the last inning of a game in which they were leading 13-0. He just had to get three outs and the game was over. The very first batter hit a pop out on the first pitch he saw…1 out. “The Boy” would only record one more out before being pulled for another pitcher. He just couldn’t find a groove. I felt terrible for him. They won the game 13-3 but “the boy” only saw his failure. Through heavy tears on the way home he said “I was terrible. I couldn’t get anybody out”. My heart broke for him as we’ve all had days like that. Not just in baseball.
As we rode home, I did my best to tell him that this was only game one of a long tournament. I predicted that at some point in this long weekend, during some game, his team would need him to make a big play, a big pitch, a big catch, steal a base, get a hit or score a big run. I said “let’s put this one behind us because your number will come up again and you’ll be ready”. The rest of the weekend he went 8 for 11 at the plate, drove in several big runs and scored big runs. He came through when he was called on and his team lost in the Final Four. I was so proud FOR him. I’m always proud OF him. Time and Chance…..
On Saturday, I helped a friend from House Church move that is going through a divorce. As we loaded his UHaul, I kept thinking “it’s not supposed to go like this”. He’s starting over and trying to put the pieces back together again. Time and Chance…..
After helping my friend move, we drove to the other side of town to help some family move into their first home. They have poured hours of sweat and hard work into their first home and I was thrilled to share the moment with them. Time and Chance….
While we were there, we got a text that announced the birth of a son for another family member. We drove to the hospital to celebrate the new arrival. Time and Chance….
This afternoon, I spoke to my Dad and he told me about a potential opening with a company he used to work for. Time and Chance….
I think what I am saying here is we’re all like that 9 year old boy with tears running down our cheeks sometimes. Even when our team “wins” we feel like we failed. What is important is realizing that there will come a “Time and Chance” again. The team, a co-worker, a friend, a companion will provide that opportunity and we will snatch the moment. It’s what makes the journey worth traveling and the lessons worth learning.
How about you? Is this your time? Is this your chance?
