Pray for Coach

If you have much, give your wealth; if you have little, give your heart.

Children's sports teach lessons beyond athleticism.  I hope that I'm not being too idealistic, but I can't help but think that a tee-ball team of eleven boys and one girl, a group of parents, and a family in need, are in for a lesson not limited to dedication; pride; and sacrificial giving.

Coach attends practice excited to teach these kids.  A stay-at-home dad, he brings his two-year-old daughter with him to the field to share the joy of ball with his six-year-old son and the rest of his team.

Coach's mother drove to Oregon from California to watch her son and grandson coach and play their first game; she shared with someone that he's had some rough patches in his life, but this tee-ball team has become his greatest sense of pride.  

On the field, shortly before game time, coach borrowed a knife from a parent to open the box filled with his team's new uniforms; he stabbed himself in the eye.

With his eye covered and ambulance on the way, he encouraged his son and team to play a good game.  "Coach will be okay, we've got a game to play!" And a great first game was played!

Two days later, parents received calls from Coach's wife.  "Coach wants you to know that we're having practice.  Be there at five".  The team arrived at the field to find out that the emergency surgery that coach had just returned from did not work and his eye would have to be removed very soon.  Parents began to tear up, but Coach demanded that no tears be shed as he did not want to upset the children.  He assured everyone that he was lucky, he'd been through worse, and he'd get through this as well.  He took to the field and threw balls for my son and the rest of the little ones that very day; and he was there coaching their second game two days later with bandaged eye.

We want to show that we truely care for coach and his family and are trying to organize a fund-raiser to help with some of the expenses that his family will incure due to this injury.  He appears to be very proud, but I think that they can use all of the help that they can get.  If you have any ideas or even stories of inspiration to pass along, please do so.  Please pray for coach.