Softball player carried around the bases by... her opponent... great example of sportsmanship.
Everyone needs a hand at times in life. Two years ago, one of the most encouraging things I've ever seen or heard about took place on a softball diamond. Some of you have heard about this encouraging moment and and others may have seen the video.
A girl came to bat and hits her first ever home run. As she rounded 1st base she tears a ligament in her knee. So, the girl can't get around the bases. Now, I'm not criticizing the umpires... they did what they were supposed to do, but, I would have been tempted to go to the opposing coach and say "Coach, you see the situation... Are you ok with just giving the girl a home run?"
By rule, the girl had to touch the bases. So, a moment of inspiration led two girls on the opposing team to pick the girl up and walk around the bases, stopping at each base and lowering the girl in order for her feet to touch the base.
I've watched the video and it's one of the most moving things I've ever seen. I've posted the youtube video here. Watch it...
As you will notice at the end the video, this won an ESPY in 2008 for the greatest moment in sportsmanship.
We can learn from the example of these softball players... they didn't have to pick this girl up and if they didn't, the home run wouldn't count. But, they set aside their competitive nature as athletes and did the right thing; they helped the girl.
All around us there are people who need a lift in life. They are down... discouraged... hurting. Some times, they may have made mistakes that have contributed to their hurt. When this happens, we have a tendency to say "Ok... you are getting what you deserve!" Oh really? Most of us have, at times in our lives, made a mistake and we've had to ask someone for a second chance.
In Luke 4:18 Jesus said "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are downtrodden."
So, the next time you see someone down, before you preach 'em on a sermon on doing the right thing... remember that you too have made mistakes and reach down and pick them up.. just like two high school players did and as Jesus would want us to.
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