Mr. Cornwell & Jon Jon

Embry’s softball season is coming to an end and I am just beyond proud of her and all she’s done this season.

Last week, I was watching her and was so shocked by what she did…something I was never any good at.

She listened to her coach.

I know!

Crazy, right?

He told her to run and she took off. Then she stole 2nd. Then 3rd. And then home!!!

I ran over to her in the dugout and squeezed her adorable face.

She was beaming!

I was so happy she got on base and beyond happy for her that she scored.

A first for her!

More that that, though, I was really proud of her for listening to her coach.

Jon-Jon knows what’s possible. He pushes the girls. He sees the potential plays and asks them to trust him.

Sounds easy, right? Simple?

But it’s not.

I remember as a player my amazing coach giving me all kinds of instructions.

Did I listen???

Not so much.

Poor Mr. Cornwell.

I still remember him hollering to me (multiple times) when I was on 3rd to move in. And did I?

Nope!

Or him giving me the sign to steal 2nd…

That would be a no.

What about him giving me the bunt sign?

No again.

Or that time asking me to play catcher and I started crying?

Bless this poor man.

He was my best friend’s dad and he’d take me along whenever he took Lindsay to the field. I loved those private lessons with them, but you couldn’t tell on game day.

I was a stubborn scaredy-cat and full of excuses.

Watching Embry on the field gives me a whole new perspective on all of it.

First of all, she’s no scaredy-cat and she’s not making excuses like her momma did. So there’s that.

But watching the coaching, I can see what is being asked of the girls and why. And I can see what a difference it makes if they listen. Especially if they listen the first time.

The coach has a plan, can see the bigger picture, and knows how the different pieces fit together. He understands how or why to pull attention or risk an out so that the runner on 3rd can score. He knows it’s a great time to practice stealing bases when your team is way ahead. Or that sometimes, you just try things for the heck of it or to get the girls out of their comfort zone!

I couldn’t see or understand this when I was younger and on the field. Being a self-centered child, you think the only play that matters is yours.

And that if you get out?

Well, it is just the worst thing ever.

Watching Embry’s coach gives me a whole new appreciation for Mr. Cornwell and what he did for us girls. The time and energy he spent making us better players. Getting off work, picking up Lindsay, and coming straight to the fields for our games. Staying out late on a work night coaching and fighting for us, both as a team and each of us individually. He wanted the best for all of us.

And I see the same thing in Jon Jon. It reminds me how fortunate I was and how fortunate Embry is to have a good coach.

And if you’ve read any of my other stuff, you probably know where I’m going with this, don’t you?

Why don’t I look to God like he’s MY coach?

I mean, I know we as Christians say something similar, but what if I started looking at Him like an actual coach? Like the best one in the league?

What if I started looking at Him like the coach that knows all the plays and just started executing them with full trust?

When He tells me to run, I run.

When He tells me to move in, I move in.

When He asks me to put myself in some situation or position I’m unfamiliar with, I say okay.

When He asks me to step back or away entirely, I do so.

Happily. Without hesitation. Without questioning.

I mean, I would say Mr. Cornwell knew what he was doing, but I didn’t play like I did.

I played as if I knew better.

Why?

Honestly, I have no clue because clearly I didn’t.

Pride? Fear? Lots of reasons I guess.

Couldn’t I say the same thing about my relationship with God today?

Honestly, I’m not really liking God’s plans right now: Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Bronson’s death, the economy, wars, political upheaval, societal division…the list could go on.

So much heartache, death, destruction, pain, uncertainty, hopelessness.

It doesn’t make sense…to me.

But God knows what He’s doing He sees the full picture

And I am reminded, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

How many times a day do I think I know better than God?

You name it and I probably have my own ideas of how it should be done and not once checked in with God about it.

I got in the way and probably messed up a lot of Mr. Cornwells plans for the C-gulls. (Sorry Mr. Cornwell!!!) My own fears, stubborness, and inhibitions prevented me from doing what could have been done.

How much more so in God’s world?

It’s one thing to mess up Mr. Cornwell’s plans, it’s another thing to mess up God’s plans.

So send a thank you to a good coach you had for putting all the time and effort into your betterment, and then remember that you have the ultimate coach. The best one, not just in your league, but on the planet!