For one brief shining moment this summer, I was that 14 year old teen
playing ball at LaGrande Park. The summer where soft ball, girls, and the park
were the social life of the cool teen in Scotch Plains. Where I was playing
ball everyday, and beginning to hit the long ball. No matter the heat,
humidity, the temptation of girls, or other outside influences, it was playing
ball. That was all that mattered, and this summer I had a chance to relive that
summer, if only for a fleeting moment. It seems there really is a Field of
Dreams movie sight in Iowa, and although never having seen the movie, nor having
any interest in it, a detour led us to the site, and there I was, bat in hand,
hitting fly balls, after a few swings and misses, a soft roller that didn’t make
it to the third baseman, and then getting my timing down, after all it was
almost 40 years, I started hitting fly balls, some good ones, at least in the
eyes of my ego. Balls over the left fielders’ head, but ones that would have
been caught in a game situation. I was 14 again, and despite the heat and
humidity, the dust, and the taxing on my body, 50 years of memories flashed
before my eyes in that few minutes. On a field cut out of a corn field, I had
my field of dreams that day. While some just saw the movie, or paid $20 to tour
the house, I was on the field and in the game again. All for the price of the
gas it took to get us there. Some talk of the 15 minutes of fame, for me that
15 minutes consisted of being a kid again, never taking into consideration that
I might embarrass myself, or even get hurt. I was given that chance we all
dream of, a field of dreams, to relive a good time in my life, and all because
of a road detour....on a hot summer day. In Eastern Iowa.
Leaving Dubuque we were on US 52 heading north, when the detour signs
appeared. Which eventually would take us back to Dubuque the long way, sorta
like going from San Diego to Los Angeles via Vegas, and it seems the more you
don’t know where you are, the longer it takes to get there. But with the tank
full, we knew the road had to come out somewhere, the scenery was beautiful, and
we saw these small signs, “FIELD OF DREAMS MOVIE SET 5 MILES.” The four, then
three, and soon a left up another road for 3 miles, and then a right up a
driveway, and there we were. A place we had no intention of going, but yet when
the opportunity presented itself, we didn’t turn back. Too often in life a
chance opens up and we pass on it, not this time. And that afternoon, about 7-8
of us played ball on the Field of Dreams field. Take that Kevin Costner,
sometimes the worst detours take us to the best places, and back in time. Where
reality is much more intimate than the dreams.....
We all know the Jeremiah 29 promise from God where he tells he has the
plans for us. For too many that consists of telling God exactly what you want
and when, then going off on your own, and repenting when you fail. Never
listening to the spirit, an option not taken, and a price paid. But when led by
the holy spirit, you see things in God’s eyes, and his eyes are always open for
you. To guide, and also to spend time with you. When you come to Christ it is
a one time instantaneous event, yet too many leave God there, Jesus is savior,
but not Lord. It is the Lord part of daily life where he leads us, where what
appear to be detours to us are really part of his plan, and we get all his
blessings, not just our requests. I could care less abut the movie, but that
afternoon my field of dreams was given to me, a chance to go back, but also to
look ahead to heaven, where all is well, and it is all about Jesus. I am at a
loss for words for what my heart felt the day, maybe the best thing because when
God blesses, it goes way beyond the tangible, and the finite. If I had been
told the highlight of a 6300 mile trip would have ben swinging a bat in a field
in Iowa, I would have scoffed, but God knew different. And I know God, and that
makes all the difference. God took time out of his schedule to bless me that
day, in a way only he would know, and hitting a baseball again never felt so
good. To those there I was just the old guy hitting, but for one brief shining
moment, I was part of a summer that was one I will always remember. Our
memories may fade, but don’t let your relationship with God fade with it.
We are not of this world, but God has chosen this time for us to be living
in it, to give it salt and light. And he uses all his creation to bless, he
operates on the outside of church walls, sometimes more effectively than inside
them. Some only have dreams of him, I can say I know him personally. And when
I follow and let him lead, the reality is always better than the dream, or
anything my finite mind could desire. I have no desire to be 14 again, not
after what I know, but because of who I know I am excited abut the future. But
for now, content in knowing God is a motorcycle fan, and loves baseball. The
first words in the book of Genesis, “in the big inning...” a brief and shining
moment to remember everyday.
A lot of things made history that summer, Woodstock, the first moonwalk,
and the Mets won the World Series. God made it personal, and that one small
step of knowing him, is my memory. Bat in hand, in a cornfield in Iowa. God
knows the plans he has for you, do you know him? Don’t wait any longer, start
living today, the reality of Jesus Christ is not a dream. I know, I’ve been
there, and never left. And I still haven’t seen the movie....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com