TEACHING AN OLD DOG
Who says teaching an old dog new tricks is impossible? I’m not saying it’s easy, but I think it’s possible. On advice from literary agents who passed on signing me, after dragging my feet for about a year I finally started this blog.
The next pressure was to “social network” in order to support the blog and connect with people that I couldn’t otherwise. My shoes must be getting a bit worn out from dragging them, but this time I only dragged them for about seven months.
If someone would have told me a few years back that I’d be writing publicly every week and be on Facebook, I probably would have laughed at them, however I learned a long time ago to never say never. The words spoken in haste without wisdom are bitter to swallow along with that pride.
Life has a way of taking unexpected turns along the journey. One of those twists was by chance, destiny, fate, or what I consider to be the hand of God.
Kenz was getting ready to start her sophomore year of high school lacrosse, at that time there was only a varsity team and Molly and Sarah were the coaches and had been since the inception at the school several years before. Sarah announced her retirement along with the fact that she was pregnant.
Molly stated she would coach, but only if she had help. Enter my wife… She announced, “I think you should do it.” I responded, “ARE YOU NUTS”!!! I couldn’t believe she could come up with something so absurd.
She later continued, “I don’t know, I just think you should do it for some reason.” I didn’t give it much merit. After all, this was me we were talking about… Impatient, short with people, tough on kids, known to lose my temper at the drop of a hat, busy beyond belief with work, intense and obsessive. These weren’t my words, but I couldn’t argue much with the descriptions and accuracy at the time.
After prodding from my wife and a few of the other parents I’d watched the games with that first season, I told them I’d help as a last resort, that is if they couldn’t find anyone else.
I found myself at the indoor try-outs on an early Sunday morning due to some rainouts the week before. While at the first try-out I discovered something I never knew existed inside me; anxiety…
A bunch of high school girls ranging from freshman to seniors and me about to coach a sport I’d never played… I said to myself in my mind over and over, “I don’t belong here”! “I’m too hardened and calloused from business and life to relate to these kids”! –“Not to mention they’re girls”!!! “I don’t know anything about girls”! “Diane (my wife) should have known that”!!!
I had immediate regret… I knew I’d already made a commitment and couldn’t back out on my word, even if coerced into it by some others. That was one of the first things I tried to teach the girls, keep your word, and give everything you’ve got.
As fate, destiny, chance, or God would have it Molly became pregnant with complications requiring her to be bedridden. So much for hanging around for support. I was it, I thought, “these poor girls.”
My life was never the same after that. All of those girls that year and the girls every year that followed broke my heart. God used those girls to bring out a person I never knew was inside of me.
That time spent with those girls made me a better person, my focus wasn’t just on my family or me, but every single girl and her life I had the opportunity to be part of and have an impact on. I will forever cherish the bonds created that will last a lifetime.
I’m reminded how blessed I am and how many true friends I have as a result of those years spent coaching my girls when I started connecting with people via the social network.
Now God is using my girls in helping to coach and teaching an old dog some new tricks.
Wherever we are, whether spoken or not, we will forever be, “Brother And Sisters In Arms.”
Thank you, Ladies…..
“HOO-RAH”!!!!!
stefani laub
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 @ 7:46 pm
That was great! I think coaching was one of the best choices you have made. Our lives are forever changed because of you. Thank you
Floyd
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 @ 7:53 pm
My life was changed as well. Thank you…
Kasey Love
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 @ 7:50 pm
I love you Floyd. I owe you so much. Thank you for being in my life, it means so much.
Floyd
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 @ 7:57 pm
It has been an honor to be part of your life and it still is. Thanks Kasey. Where’s the Love ya’ll! I can’t help myself. I love you too.
Tammy
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 @ 7:14 pm
Glad you started blogging, or we might not have met! 🙂
Floyd
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 @ 9:48 pm
The lord doth work in mysterious ways. Thanks Tammy, my world is revealed by God himself, with all of the imperfections and all. I’m referring to mine of course… Thanks Tammy.
Tammy
Thursday, March 17, 2011 @ 8:17 am
lol
It’s not like you’re cornering the market in imperfections.
Chip
Thursday, March 17, 2011 @ 3:21 am
Thanks for sharing Floyd …
Floyd
Thursday, March 17, 2011 @ 7:00 am
Thanks for reading Chip, I do appreciate it.
Jennifer
Thursday, March 17, 2011 @ 6:23 pm
This post is one of my favorites, yet! It is amazing what happens when we try something out of our comfort zone, something that God has called us to do. From the comments above, clearly you made a huge impact on those young ladies.
Floyd
Thursday, March 17, 2011 @ 6:50 pm
Thanks Jennifer, God truly blessed my life through these girls, they are like my family now. Sorry I haven’t been around much, I need to get caught up on your blog, I miss your posts. Thanks for taking the time today.
Pat Bowling
Friday, March 18, 2011 @ 11:04 am
Acts of service almost always start out with the intent to “be” a blessing, but we inevitably end up being the one who get blessed. What you probably considered a small act of service has led to relationships that will last a lifetime and some with eternal benefits. Well done faithful servant!
Floyd
Friday, March 18, 2011 @ 12:50 pm
You’re absolutely right, the pleasure was all mine… Interesting how it’s the polar opposite of how the world views life. The more we give the more we get… Thanks Pat
Melissa Montoya
Tuesday, April 19, 2011 @ 10:53 pm
Thank you for making me who I am today Floyd. I thank you over and over!
You are wonderful and I miss you a lot!
Floyd
Wednesday, April 20, 2011 @ 6:58 am
Thank you Melissa, you are an absolute treasure to me… We are blessed by God and I am proud of you not just because of what you do, but who you are. I miss you too, what an honor it is for me to be part of your life. Thanks, and thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to leave me a comment… It is truly a special gift to me.