You need a short memory!

I have had the privilege of doing a lot of different types of ministry in 31 years.  One of my favorites was that I was able to serve for a couple of years as a chaplain for a baseball team.  This team was a part of a wooden bat league for college players.

The league consisted of college scholarship players who came to play in this league when their season ended for their college team. 

My role was to do a chapel service once a week and to minister to the team, coaches, and workers of the team.  I had the opportunity to meet and minister to more people who did not attend church anywhere in those years than any other ministry I have worked.  I was able to get to know them, build a relationship with them.  It was such a blessing.

One day I was talking with a starting pitcher who had a rough outing the night before in a game.  I asked him, “How do you deal with it when you have a tough time and then have to turn around pitch again?”  He said, “Chaplain, to be a pitcher you have to have a short memory.” 

I really liked that comment then.  I really have appreciated it more as the years go by.   I never would have imagined this 20 year old to share something so wise.

I can’t help but think how helpful that comment would be in my life if I simply applied it to various places in my life.

Like the following from the past:

Past failures

Past hurts

Past disappointments

Past successes

Maybe it would be helpful to forget quickly:

Hurtful words by people quickly

Hurtful actions by those close to us

This young pitcher had learned something at 20 years old that many struggle their entire life and do not learn.

What would it look like if I did not dwell on those things and replaced them with positive ways of thinking?

^“ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil. 4:8, ESV).