Today’s find: The path to glory

The Cardinals put a whuppin’ on the Mets last night. By mid-game, the score was so lopsided that my attention waned…and my mind wandered back to a time when the New York crew provided a much more formidable test for the Redbirds. Along the way, I encountered an unexpected lesson in spirituality.

It all started when I recalled how in 2006, Carlos Beltran—the current Cardinal slugger—plied his trade for the other side. That relationship hadn’t ended well: Mets fans never forgave Carlos for taking a series-ending called-strike-three on a filthy curveball from Adam Wainwright in Game 7 of the NLCS.

The Cards would go on to win it all that year—and it’s such a delicious sports memory for this particular fan that I found myself popping the 2006 World Series Film into the DVD player…just so I could relive those glory days for a moment.

You know, some things never get old, like watching Beltran’s knees buckle on Waino’s wicked bender in their decisive encounter.

But last night’s review produced another gem of a memory, too—from Game 3 of the NLCS—when a pitcher named Jeff Suppan tossed an unexpected shut-out against the Mets.

It probably ranks as the finest moment in the journeyman’s career. And when interviewed later for the DVD, here’s what Soup had to say about the victory:

“I don’t recall a lot from that game…and I notice, when I’m not recalling a lot, it means I’m being in the moment. I’m really focused on each pitch. You’re playing that one game you’re in, right now…”

Suppan’s comment reminded me of Helen Mallicoat’s insightful reflection. It goes like this:

I was regretting the past
and fearing the future.

Suddenly, my Lord was speaking.
‘My name is I Am.’

He paused. I waited. He continued.

‘When you live in the past,
with its mistakes and regrets,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not “I was.”’

When you live in the future,
with its problems and fears,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not “I will be.”’

When you live in this moment
it is not hard. I am here.
My name is “I AM.”’

I can’t say for sure that Suppan was connecting with the Almighty during Game 3 back in 2006. But he did certainly make it look easy that night, against one of the league’s most fearsome line-ups.

So maybe his secret—learning to be ‘in the moment’—is worth contemplating, especially  when we face our most difficult challenges in life.

God is present, even in those moments.

And, of course, when God is present, all is well.