Still a Winner

The Houston Astros had a much better season than predicted, especially since they had a young team and were in the process of rebuilding.  For the first time in ten years, they made it to the playoffs.  On October 14, 2015, the Astros lost to the Kansas City Royals and ended their run for the World Series.  Even with the Astros loss, Javier Brackamonte, a bullpen catcher, was still a winner in my book.

David Dahmer, a Royals fan, was also impressed with Brackamonte’s actions after the game and posted the following on social media:  “Last night Javier Bracamonte #85, a Houston Astros bullpen catcher showed an unbelievable act of class and sportsmanship.  After the game was over, he dug in his giant bag of gear and basically emptied it throwing stuff to all the kids.  He threw them his hat, batting gloves, his chest protector, his chin guards, tootsie pops and every baseball he could find which was about 25 balls…When he was done he threw his bag over his shoulder, clapped for all of us and wished us good luck the rest of the way.  It was so cool to see someone showing kids how it’s supposed to be done.  I was sitting there just shocked.  After getting heckled all night he showed us what he is all about…What a great guy.  I’ll definitely be rooting for him from now on.”

Lessons from Javier Bracamonte:

* Whether you win or lose, you have the opportunity to be a role model.

* Sometimes sportsmanship speaks loudest in a time of loss.

* You don’t  always have control over the outcome, but you do have a choice of how you react and respond.

* Baseball is more than a game.

* Even when disappointed and hurting after a loss, there is value in thinking of others.

* When treated rudely, you don’t have to follow suit.

* Sometimes in the most unlikely situations you can make a lasting impression.

* When you love the game, you want to share it.

Sounds like a winning plan for the Christian life, too.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

I Thessalonians 5:11

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4 

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.

Galatians 6:45

You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

James 2:22