Old Dog, New Tricks

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot

For 24 years, from 1987 to 2011, I played softball in prisons throughout North America (and again sporadically from 2011 to 2020). The first few seasons, I mostly managed the team and filled in as needed. But as my confidence as a player grew, I began to insert myself into the lineup more and more often until I became the regular second baseman and leadoff hitter.

Defensively, I was sure-handed, covered a lot of ground, and could turn a double play with the best of them. Offensively, I was a singles hitter who maintained a high average and an excellent on-base percentage.

Ironically, my best years were not in my 20s and early 30s. but rather from my mid 30s through my late 40s. As my range and speed decreased, my knowledge of the game allowed me to improve both in the field and at the plate.

The same goes for golf. I can no longer drive the ball more than 200 yards unless I have a strong wind at my back and the hole plays downhill. And yet, I am posting some of the lowest scores of my life simply because I have learned how to manage my way around the course better, eliminating costly penalty strokes along the way. In fact, I rarely lose a ball during a round unless there is an island green to contend with.

Realistically, however, I know that there will come a day when I can no longer compete on the softball or basketball court… and in fact, that day may have already arrived. Last Saturday, I was forced to play two full games of basketball on a concrete court against inmates 40 years younger than me because our prison ministry team was short-handed. For a 66-year-old, I didn’t do too badly, scoring four points and managing not to embarrass (or injure) myself. But Father Time remains undefeated and so, I realize all-too-well that my athletic prime is in the rearview mirror.

But guess what? At the same time that my physical skills are rapidly deteriorating, my spiritual ones seem to be blossoming. March 29th will mark my 4-year anniversary as a pastor and August 1st will mark the 15th anniversary for Risk Takers for Christ. After 32 years of full-time missionary service and 39 years of prison ministry, I think I’m finally starting to get the hang of it.

And so, while some “ships have already sailed” such as my nauseant political career, it appears as if other more eternally important aspects of my life are just now hitting their full stride.

(My friend, as you transition from one stage of life to another, my advice is this: don’t fret over what you are leaving behind but rather, anticipate what exciting new adventures – and avenues of service – lie ahead.)

“To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (BSB)

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President