Not many of you know, but I used to be a pretty fair bowler. I bowled in high school, in my Before Christ days, and was actually part of a league. I had bowled, out of sheer boredom, one winter, with an after school high school league. Didn't have my license yet, so no bike to ride, and NJ has lousy winters. My averages were OK, I actually bowled a 248 once, and followed it up with a 276. In rented shoes, using one of the lane balls. And never went back, couldn't, as we took their shoes home with us to celebrate and were afraid to go back-we still feared the law back then.
But my friend Bruce-state champ heavyweight wrestler, greaser, and original rebel thought we should be in a real league, so he signed us up-a men's triplicate league at Blue Star. A cast of characters akin to Animal House for bowling, we were forever in last place-48th out of 48. Brian, aka Brains, aka the Perfessor, who was known for wearing this black mask, and standing on Jerusalem Road flagging down people and bumming cigarettes. His nickname, Joshua Jeremy, talking Ebonics before they were perfected. And he played it well.
Bruce was buff before it became trendy. He didn't need to work out, and was a state champ wrestler two years in a row, 178 and then heavyweight, but was also known for walking around with his Marlboros rolled up in his sleeves, and one behind his ear. In school. To gym class and practice. He actually smoked in the boys room! Things that just weren't done in high school in Scotch Plains in the 70's. But being a state champ, and undefeated, he got away with it. For the team, or so we joked. He also had a girlfriend, Patricia, and a '63 Fairlane, named the Patricia II. Why Patricia II you ask? Patricia his girlfriend was Patricia I! He was also our worst bowler. While I would average in the 160 range, and Brains might hit 100, the closest Bruce might get to 100 was in the 80s. Seems a pin in wrestling and pins in bowling were two different things. But the way he bowled, closer than you may think.
What he lacked in skill, he made up for in style. Big handed, he had trouble finding a ball to fit his hands, and would bowl without putting his thumb in a hole. Which meant the ball would land 15-20' down the alley, and bounce. Think of a slow pitch in softball. With a 16 pound ball. Somehow avoiding the pins. His low score was something like a 24. Try to do that sometime. Consistently. But what he lacked in style, he made up for in strength. Back then the seating at the ends of the alleys was shaped like a horseshoe, with these hard plastic, curved benches and if you looked at it, you could imagine throwing a ball and it whipping around and down an alley. Throw the ball hard enough, it could follow the curve of the seats, and go down the lane next you that your back was to. Which Bruce did one night, when confronted with the challenge, and never being one to pass up a chance for fun and adventure, and actually knocked down some pins-in the wrong lane! Hallowed seats, that some refused to sit in-just in case Bruce tried it again, going for the ever allusive spare. But even bowlers of our caliber would get frustrated with our game, and one night Bruce in a fit of rage threw a ball side ways towards the pins-hitting them on the fly! If there was ever an X-Games for bowling, he would have been state champ in that too!
Perhaps the closest we came to being complimented for our weekly 48th place finish, was at one meeting we suggested a trophy for low scores, just like the ones the serious guys had for high scores. We were told that this was a competitive league, and that this would not be fair to the other teams. At least we thought it was a compliment.
We also had a certain look, a style or lack of,that the others didn't. Bruce had this beautiful calligraphy like handwriting and made us these neat bowling shirts-actually t-shirts. While the others had these embroidered shirts, with collars and buttons, we had white t-shirts, that had our names written across the chest, and on the back-in blue magic marker. That the first time they were washed ran, but gave it a cool effect, sort of like the air brushed gang writing. But we were there every week in them, wearing the shoes we borrowed/stole from the other bowling alley-ready to strike terror into the hearts of any true bowler.
I almost forgot Bruce's step dad, who came to cheer us on. A man's man, unlike Bruce he was a good bowler. But had a style of his own. He worked in a machine shop, and an accident with a press had cut off both his feet-right in front of the ankles. He wore regular shoes, so you couldn't tell, but walked like he was on stilts-he had no feet-and was literally on his heels. A big, tough man-no one ever laughed at his bowling-at least not to his face. Like a ballerina-but on his heels, he bounced down the lane, and was actually a pretty fair bowler. And for one winter, this was my Wednesday night activity-and sadly like our team at Union College, when it was time to sign up for next year, we were told they were full. Nipped in the bud-just as the team was finally coming together!
But yet we were a team, and although we never tasted victory together, we somehow enjoyed our defeats. We had fun-something the others didn't-remember this was a competitive league with cash prizes, and we were way out of the money. In talking with other Christians, I find we forget that we are not in competition against them, we all share the same team colors-Jesus. With the same payout-heaven. And no matter if Lutheran, Catholic, Calvary Chapel, or Baptist-it is all about Jesus! And we need to remember that church growth is not based on stealing members from other churches-but seeing souls saved and ADDED to our numbers. And it is God who does it, just like in Acts 2. Peter preached, and 3000 were added, but it was God who added them. Unlike the Triplicate League, with a finite number of teams, heaven is big enough for everyone-if they only accept God. And unlike our three man team, God's team, the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are always in first place. But prefer to hang with those in last place, or near the bottom. That's love-and why I feel so comfortable among guys like my old bowling team. I can be myself, yet be their friend, and share Jesus by my lifestyle, and how I choose to live. And have fun! Meeting people who would never go to church, because of church people, but still needing to hear the gospel.
So whether riding, bowling, golfing, or playing ball, represent Jesus. Be a light, and be available. You may be the only Bible they ever read, or the only church they attend. Show compassion, listen and love them-just like Jesus loved you when you were lost. And watch as the pews fill, people get saved, and you enjoy your walk with Jesus even more.
Who would have thought that a 16 year old in stolen bowling shoes with this cast of characters would end up a Christian and serving God? Jesus knew-and He is not through yet. Seek Him while He still can be found. A good place is near the sick, the needy, the junkies, and the downtrodden bikers. He is there because He wants to be-the well-aka the saved, don't need a doctor.
Let Him be number one in your life. His truth is everlasting, and consistent. Join with Him today. Strike or spare-He is the elusive 300 game for your life!
love with compassion,
Mike
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