The Baseball Gods

A year ago the Kansas City Royals would have won the World Series had they not run into that “Bum” from San Francisco.  One of the men that I umpire baseball with here in Colorado always refers to the baseball gods.  Well this year the Baseball Gods have “Crowned” their champion, the Royals are the kings of baseball.

I lived in and near KC for 13 “unlucky years”. I attended games at “the K” at least once a year. To be honest it was not to really watch the Royals. I bought tickets to watch Ken Griffey Jr, Barry Bonds, the NY Yankees and my beloved Cardinals. I was hoping for a 30 year reunion of the I-70 series that I would gladly have conceded to the Royals…they have been playing the game of baseball that we knew as America’s favorite pastime and for that I thank you…as do hot dogs and apple pie.

So many of my friends in KC are having the days of their lives celebrating their championship with a social- “media day” of their very own. But as we all know it hasn’t been that way for 30 years…it has been a very long season for fans, which is true for every home town team (especially the Cubbies).

During those long lean years people can grumble and complain. The stadium can look like a ghost town with only the faithful showing up. Even season ticket holders may only come out for games on “Christmas and Easter”. The media and fair weather fans can be highly critical of players and certainly the on and off field management. But once the winning starts everything changes and if you win it all, like Royals just did then the whole city shows up for the “ticker tape” parade.

My point is to identify that your local home town church may be very much like any ball club. There are many things wrong with it, but one day the parade is coming and the King will be crowned. Be a fan of the Church!, buy the ticket, paint your face, show up, identify with the team and purchase a jersey, wear the colors, tail-gate (come early-stay late) be a loyal follower, be a season ticket holder and pass the seats on to future generations.

Be as passionate about the church as you are the Royals! …or your team.

Crown the King! …His PARADE IS COMING!