Be A Base Coaches

by E.E. Perry
Published May 28, 2005

Starting the new softball season, I discovered that my skills were a little rusty. During a preseason game, I was on second base, with another runner on first and only one out. A pop fly was hit into the outfield. I thought I saw the outfielder catch the ball. I ran back to tag up on second only to discover that the runner on first was now on second. I didn't know that the outfielder had dropped the ball. Everyone was yelling for me to run to third, but to me, it was just a lot of noise. I became very confused, and I was thrown out before I could get to third.

My confusion could have been avoided had I paid attention to the third base coach. He would have told (or motioned) me on to third base. Instead, I tried to make sense of it all on my own. As a result, I failed to advance.

Life is like that. There is a lot of noise out there, telling us to go this way or that. Life becomes very confusing with so many different voices telling us the way to go. There we stand, trapped between the second and third not knowing which way to go.

We need base coaches in the game of life. They come in many forms: teachers, mentors, etc. There are a lot of noisy voices out there trying to get our attention, confusing us about which way to go. We need guidance that leads us toward the heavenly home: coaches that lead us to Christ Jesus.

Being a base coach doesn’t require an exhaustive knowledge of the game, just a basic knowledge of the rules, an enthusiasm for the game, and desire to instruct players. The base coach encourages the players. When mistakes are made, they "coach" the player on how things could be done different next time.

Being a life base coach (mentor or teacher) doesn’t require a degree in education or psychology, just a basic knowledge of the Bible, an enthusiasm for people, and a desire to instruct others. The first step is to walk into the coach’s box. Encourage your "players." When mistakes are made, don’t condemn – coach!

Now, more than ever, our children need dedicated base coaches. Coaching takes time, but when you look at the future, our children are worth it.

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