Phillie Phantastic

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Yesterday, my dear hubby was interviewed by a writer who’s working on a historical book about the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team. If you’re wondering why, it’s because when my dh graduated from high school he was signed by the Phillies organization, which was a pretty big deal at the time since he was the first black player to wear that team's uniform. He played third base and was an above average hitter during his time in the minor leagues. He had the opportunity to train with the majors once or twice, but for a variety of reasons, some physical, some obscure, being a major league ball player was not to be.

He was reminiscing about this with me for a while last night, talking a little about his dreams and disappointments of those bygone days. After we had talked a bit, he told me how glad he was that it hadn’t worked out. If it had, he said, he’s sure that he never would have married the wife that he did and had the daughters that he did. See how God orders our steps? I’m sure glad he didn’t end up with the Phillies. I never knew this before, but at the time that his baseball career fell through, one of his sisters said to him, “Sometimes temporary failures are stepping stones to success.” Wow. How true. He may not have been “successful” as a professional athlete, but he certainly has been a faithful servant of Christ, dependable and committed husband, devoted and protective father, and caring and understanding friend. So, as far as I’m concerned, he’s been a success. Actually, that's pretty fantastic in this day and age.