How many of you folks remember the movie back in the 80's Field of Dreams? I remember that movie because growing up a baseball fan it was one of my favorite sports movies. But there was that one line in the movie that I would not understand until much later in life: If you build it they will come. It wasn't until here recently I began to really understand what that meant. In this blog I will explain what it means now to me.
Remember that part that I said I was a huge baseball fan? Do you know truly if you build it they will come? Let me give you an example of someone who literally built it and they came. His name was Lindy McDaniel and he was a 21 year professional major league baseball pitcher. His playing career spanned from 1955-1975 and he spent time playing for the Cardinals, Cubs, Giants, Yankees, and the Royals. While being a 2 time All Star he never saw a World Series but that did not deter him from still following his dreams year after year. The man was a giant and legend not just amongst his family but to everyone that knew him.
So how did he build it? He started out at a young age but not only was he a student of baseball he was a student of the bible. This is where he truly did build it. He picked up the bible at an early age and was a tremendous student of the bible. When asked as a 19 year old what his plans would be if and when his baseball career ended. His reply, "I will probably do something to expand the kingdom". Boy did he do that! After his major league career was completed he started as a gospel preacher and often not only spent time studying with folks in the church but also keeping in touch with former teammates of his and in some cases converting them. You would often either hear him talking baseball or the bible. If he was not giving advice to a young man on how to throw a fastball or a sinker he was teaching them how to live their life in a Godly way.
Finally, how did he help me build my field of dreams? I can tell you in my life I have never given up on anything I have just shifted gears and that has happened a lot. Years ago when my family moved to OKC I had times when I thought you know I worked hard and it was taken away. I absolutely loved my job at Biz Radio in Houston and it was taken away(not by any of the employees doing) and then moving to OKC thinking I could always go back to school and try to pursue meteorology again and then getting kicked in the teeth by the school I had previously went to. I remember taking Nolan to the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and was walking around and looking at all these sports greats that NEVER gave up and then I came across one that I knew: Lindy McDaniel. I immediately went home and did some research on him and through it all this man NEVER gave up. I told myself that day that no matter what I would fight through whatever adversity that was brought my way and at times I would get kicked in the teeth and just kept telling myself that if this faithful man could do it: so could I. While he will never know it: he is one of the examples of folks that I can truly look up to that never gave up.
In conclusion, I want you to know that if you build it they truly will come. Just take a look at one of the greatest major league pitchers to toe the rubber and one of the most faithful Godly man I knew(and I know a lot). Know this: Life will throw you curveballs, however, the true professionals don't lay the bat down and quit they adapt. You too can build a field of dreams!