Reflections (a marvelous moment)

On April 8, 1974 Henry Aaron hit the 715th home run of his career breaking the long standing (at the time) record of Babe Ruth.  His historic homer came off the Dodger's pitcher Al Downing.  Vin Scully was the announcer for the Dodgers.  (He actually was their announcer for 67 years! He is a once in a lifetime talent.)  He made this historic call.  If is better to google the event and listen to this Hall of Fame announcer speak.  But the words need to be heard and made part of our soul.  He said:
"It's a high drive to deep left center field.  (Bill) Buckner goes back to the fence...It is gone..."

Now catch this next part.  Not only was Scully commenting on a baseball game, he was making a statement for history, for America, for people.

"What a marvelous moment for baseball.  What a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia.  What a marvelous moment for the country and the world."

"A black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South for breaking a record of an all-time  baseball idol.  And it is a great moment for all of us, and particularly for Henry Aaron, who was met at home plate, not only by every member of the Braves, but by his father and mother."

There is more.  Check it out.  Listen.  Watch the video.  Reflect on this "marvelous moment".

I am thankful for the "marvelous moments" that highlight the highest of the human experience and show us what we are all capable of.  Not breaking a home run record.  Rather, wildly cheering the success of a person...of color.

It was a great day for America coming 6 years after we grieved the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  It was a great day for America follow a season of great social unrest.  It revealed the capabilities of humanity.

"A black man is getting a standing ovation in the Deep South."

Leading up to that moment Aaron had a stressful and fearful few months.  He ended the previous season trailing Babe Ruth's record by 2 home runs.  He got hate mail.  He got death threats.  He was the victim of racists rants and racism itself. 

"...for breaking a record of an all-time baseball idol."

America held Babe Ruth in awe.  He was iconic.  He was "the Babe".  Many of our citizens could not imagine a black man, Hank Aaron, breaking the revered record of Ruth.

"It was a great moment for all of us."

The stadium was full that night.  The game was nationally televised.  (This was before every game was televised!)  The nation watched.  The tape was shown in every city.  Millions witnessed this history altering event.

"...and particularly Henry Aaron."  For his team.  For his game.  For his city.  For his nation.  For the world he was part of.  It was a marvelous moment.

In the past days we have witnessed the opposite of a "marvelous moment".  But the succeeding days have given us snapshots of marvelous moments.  In the midst of human degradation, racism, and sin, we have seen marvelous moments of unity.  We have seen marvelous moments of compassion.  We have seen marvelous moments of love.  We have seen marvelous moments where God has stepped into our hurt.

You are not going to break any home run records.  You will not be the object of adulation by 50,000 people standing and cheering for your achievement.  But your life may be part of the marvelous moments of God's redemptive purposes.  Today.  Tomorrow.  Always.  Be a marvelous moment.

This is the day the Lord has made.  We will be glad and rejoice in it.
steve