by Rick Furmanek
Baseball possesses the rich, yet rare tradition of having family members who have been fortunate enough to be selected to play together in the Majors. From George, Harry and Sam Wright who were the first brothers to play on the same Boston Red Caps team in 1876, to the modern-day Boone, Guerrero, Glavine and Molina families, just to mention a few.
It must make a parent quite proud to have two or three world-class athletes competing in a professional sport at the same time. Even a few select fathers have been fortunate enough to play alongside their sons (e.g., Griffey's, Raines'). Those residing in this elite category could be defined in the truest sense as baseball families. I bet it makes for some interesting holiday and family gatherings.
When I hear stories of baseball families similar to those mentioned above, I am struck with the notion of the tremendous investment and dedication their parents must have made to arrive at such a monumental milestone. There are some great examples out there of parental sacrifices that paid off in the end.
No doubt you yourself have made a tremendous investment in your son's future. Your personal sacrifice of foregoing holidays for tournaments, giving up your favorite TV show in exchange for time at the batting cages, the money you laid aside for your latest gadget used instead, for baseball gear. Looking back years from now, I have no doubt that you will say that it was all worth it.
Having a son in a baseball career can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but the fact of the matter is, it will also be short-lived when measured up against the rest of his life. This is why it is crucial that we as parents commit ourselves not only to investing in our son’s short-term goals and aspirations, but that we also take the time to invest in our son's eternal future.
While parents cannot always be responsible for their son's decisions, choices and/or actions, I do believe we can influence how his life is shaped with a view toward eternity.
In Genesis chapter 18 God says, ". . . train your children and future family to observe God's way of life, live kindly and generously and fairly."
God was speaking to Abraham, one of the greatest examples of a parent found in the Bible. The story continues on for several chapters and describes Abraham's life of commitment to follow God's prescription for raising a God-fearing family.
At the end of Abraham's life, listen to what is said of him. "Then he [Abraham] took his final breath. He died happy at a ripe old age, full of years, and was buried with his family."
Do you have a strategy for winning the game? Have you read the Rule Book or are you trying to learn the game as you go? Are you satisfied with the equipment that you have provided your family for their use in the game of life? Have you made the sacrifices that will make an eternal difference? Don't settle just for the short-term, short-lived experiences. Make eternal investments. You will begin reaping eternal rewards in your family now both on and off the field.
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