Far too many times mistakes are dealt with in a way that makes things worse. Do we always need to deal with mistakes on the spot? Is the immediate need for accurate history such that those involved need winners and losers? What are the goals the community shares when mistakes are made?
Two teams evenly matched. The sun is bright, breeze light, and the occasional cloud fleetingly toying with spectators and players alike. With a runner on first, the batter and pitcher faced off with no guaranteed winner. The pitch and hit were solid. Everyone in the stands was sure this was going to be a looping single right down the middle, everyone that is except the mobile short-stop. As her quick steps accelerated and her glove reached out into the sky I knew with certainty that this was going to look good but end up in failure. The ball didn’t know that. The point and intersection closed, gathered, and neatly folded into a seemly catch. So smooth, so choreographed, and so out!
As this unfolded the coach for the runner was as convinced as everyone in the stands that this was going to be a solid single. She was yelling and screaming for her player to move. The player heard run and so she did. Blindly, wildly, and without reservation she put everything into moving as quickly as she could to second base. There were no looks, hesitations, or second thoughts.
After the umpire’s call, the words between the coach and player were heated. Clearly the coach believed there needed to be a winner and loser. Words, equipment, and mercy were tossed everywhere and anywhere. There was a mistake, and only one mistake.
From that point on the team lost the plot. They were confused, puzzled, and uncertain. It was as if the question was going unanswered. “I thought we were a team.”
“Jesus saw that in their enthusiasm, they were about to grab him and make him king, so he slipped off and went back up the mountain to be by himself.” (John 6.15)
