And So Can You!

Early this evening, I attended a candidates' forum for our town. Audience members submitted questions which were then answered by the mayoral and city council candidates.

After returning home, I joined my family in watching the Colorado Rockies baseball team play their wild card tie-breaker game on TV. The game was forced into extra innings, and things looked pretty grim when the Padres scored two runs in the top of the thirteenth. To make matters worse, the Padres' 'closer' is very good and I must admit I thought it was all over. But in the bottom of the thirteenth, we scored one run. Two runs to tie it. And then the runner on third slid into home plate on a pop fly to score the winning run. The Rockies won the game!

These two events reminded me of a children's book, In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson, by Bette Bao Lord. In the book is a wonderful speech given by a school teacher to her class.

"In our national pastime, each player is a member of a team, but when he comes to bat, he stands alone. One man. Many opportunities. For no matter how far behind, how late in the game, he, by himself, can make a difference. He can change what has been. He can make it a new ball game.

"In the life of our nation, each man is a citizen of the United States, but he has the right to pursue his own happiness. For no matter what his race, religion or creed, be he pauper or president, he has the right to speak his mind, to live as he wishes within the law, to elect our officials and stand for office, to excel. To make a difference. To change what has been. To make a better America.

"And so can you! And so must you!"

Thank you, Lord, for the many ways in which we can make a difference. Thank you for Your Son, who made the ultimate difference. And, dare I say it in the same breath.....GO ROCKIES!!!!