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Romans 12:2
Encouragement to fulfill God's purpose through Practical Life Application and Navigation

I Play Right Field

michael-phelpsThere are always going to be Super Stars. Those who excel in sports, brainiacs who score off the academic charts and corporate suits who climb higher up the proverbial ladder than mere mortals can fathom. It’s hard not to envy. Or not to wonder why one is blessed with the perfect physical anatomy, another with musical genius and yet another with an IQ that defies any and all explanation. But failure to recognize each person’s strengths, even if they pale in comparison, or to acknowledge that ALL members are an essential part of the team (or there would be no ‘team’!), can breed a lifetime of disappointment, discontentment and low self-esteem.

 

I first heard this song when my boys were youngsters. As Ninja Turtle nuts, they had all the action figures, accessories and DVD’s, one of which had the following commercial on the trailer. Click on the link below and take a look:

‘I Play Right Field’

Yes it’s old and the quality isn’t so hot, but this darn commercial brings tears to my eyes every single time I watch it. I’ve seen no better way to exemplify the importance of EVERY position on a baseball team, EVERY student in the classroom, EVERY employee of a company and EVERY member of the family.

Unfortunately, though, this concept is overlooked time and time again.

The standouts generally receive all the attention and honors. While I don’t subscribe to the belief that 37th place necessarily warrants a trophy (there are always going to be winners and non-winners!), I’m a huge proponent for recognizing and acknowledging each person’s individual gifts and blessings – in and through ALL things.

Sometimes it’s not just the slowest or most challenged that’s ignored. For instance, look athigh school classroom our school system. There are often a multitude of opportunities for the gifted students, and a wide variety of programs for those with special needs, but mainstream kids can spend four years in high school and go essentially unnoticed.

What are we lacking in our values and goals which makes them so skewed? Why is our attention drawn to only ‘Number One’ … and our accolades lavished solely on the winner? Think of how many diamonds in the rough we’re missing. Think of how many hearts we’re breaking. Yes, life isn’t fair, and the reality is that everyone is not equal. I can live with this. What I can’t stomach is not noticing, supporting and encouraging each person for what they bring to the table. God made us unique for a reason. If he wanted everyone to be a Michael Jordan, he could have made a world full of Jordans…but he didn’t.   

Have you seen evidence of this one-sidedness in families with multiple children? Sometimes one child is singled out for the bulk of the praise and is the recipient of the ‘good’ gifts and financial help. I’m not suggesting that the undeserving should receive what they haven’t earned, but I AM suggesting that some pretty fantastic kids fall far below their parents’ radar and are completely passed over. I’ve seen it time and time again.

Baseball kidRemember Right Field in ALL circumstances, in ALL seasons. Sometimes that shy, quiet kid will have the most to offer, but even if not, I bet he might really appreciate and thrive from the same love and attention as the team’s All Star.

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10 Responses to I Play Right Field

  1. Pam Taylor says:

    Great post. Something we all need to be reminded of often. I love the video clip. I play right field. Very cool. (Accidently a great catch!)

  2. Kim Hawkins says:

    What a timely message Sherry. We all have a role and not one of them is insignificant!

  3. Joanie Bruce says:

    This is so neat, Sherry. We all do have our place, and sometimes we overlook the shy, unobtrusive child or adult, and forget that they have worth too…especially in the eyes of God. Thanks for encouraging us to see the good in everyone!

  4. Kim Avery says:

    I couldn’t agree more, Sherry. Thanks for reminding us of the incredible, unduplicatable (hmmm… is that a word) value of each human being. We are all here for a reason and the world would suffer if anyone of us was gone.

    • Sherry says:

      Absolutely. You are so right! Value and worth are often placed on all the wrong things. Sometimes it takes daily reminders but important to do so! Thanks Kim.

  5. Kinsey says:

    Enjoyed the article – especially the video. Looked around your website too. Very interesting!

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