For the past 6 years I have been blessed with the opportunity to coach baseball in the NorthWest. Many of our players are now getting the opportunity to play college ball and a few are getting professional offers. It has been really amazing to watch these boys grow up into fine young men. I have always believed that it is more important to learn life skills than it is athletic skills. However, sporting environments can be one of the best ways to keep kids attention while quietly teaching them about life.
One of the primary focus points of my coaching is that hard work beats talent when talent won't work hard. That talent is never enough! We have invested years into these boys teaching them that there work ethic will take them much farther than their natural abilities. Persistent and consistent work will always take over and carry you to your ultimate destiny.
One of the boys I have worked so hard with is my sons best friend Chris Clarke. He was criticized most of his teenage years for not being very motivated or willing to work hard enough to get the job done. He got a pretty bad rap and was treated unkindly by so many people. I watched and coached him for years and could never really understand why he was treated so unfairly. He never missed a practice, was never late and never left early. He may have lacked in hustle but I believe he was just a little afraid to fail as a result of the constant criticism. But this kid never gave up. He had a dream of playing quarter back for the Mt Si Wildcats football team. He went to every practice, every meeting, weight lifting classes, summer clinics and anything else that was ever available. He quietly worked harder and longer than anyone else. I don't think anyone but his family and few of us ever gave him a chance at being the starting quarterback for one of the best High schools in the state. A school with nearly 2000 students and talent from Senior to Freshman year after year.
Well, with great pride in my chest I am happy to announce to you the starting quarter back of Mt. Si High school is Chris Clarke!! I have tears in my eyes writing this message to you all because I remember all those years of criticism and frustration. I remember him battling injury after injury and standing on those sidelines for three years only taking a handful of late game snaps. Last night he carried his team to a 42 to 6 victory with nearly 400 yards of offense of which 52 of them came on the very first play of the game where Chris launched a bomb to strike first on the way to their playoff clinching performance. He is so humble and I am truly so proud of him.
I also had the opportunity to stand next to his Dad during the game where I was able to see that wonderful God inspired spark of love and pride well up in his eyes. Warren has always believed in him and has done everything a father could do to help Chris become the young man that he is! I cant even tell you how many times I have heard the echo of "CHRIS" as Warren would walk through my house yelling his name in order to pick him up and take him to another practice or training session of some kind. Warren is truly a great Dad that lovingly guided Chris to be the young man that he is today. After every play my ears would ring from the shreeks and shrills of Jennifer who has to constantly fight back tears when she watches him play or talks about his climb. I think there is a special place in Heaven reserved for the Moms of high school and college quarterbacks. They hold their breath every play and live and die with every success and failure. Thats her baby and she just cant help it! Even though chris is 6'3" and nearly 200 pounds he is still her baby and you will never convince her differently.
So here I sit telling you this story of a young man who never gave up. hope to encourage you to fight for your dreams. There is nothing you cant do if always do your best, be faithful to the process and never give up on your dream.
I am so proud of you Chris and honored to be able to watch you overcome, grow and now live the fruits of your persistence. We can all learn something from this young mans journey. Where are you now? On the bench, are you injured, are you overlooked, are you being criticized? Or are you in the weight room, training, studying, praying and working as hard as you can with the faith that dreams do come true to those who are willing to do whatever it takes?
I love you and I am willing to stand with you!!
No comments:
Post a Comment