From the Associate Pastor: On Baseball, Perfectionism, and the Gospel

Without a doubt, I believe one of the best things about warmer weather is the chance to get outside and play ball.

Playing recreational league softball has become a hallmark of my summers. Do not mistake me. I would never in a million years describe myself as ‘athletic,’ but I do love the camaraderie, community and the promise of a post-game burger and a beer.

This love of a rec. league sport would be a shock to my tween self. I was quite anxious about playing sports as a kid. Every mistake I made felt enormous, every strike out was a deep source of embarrassment. For a while, I played the lucrative shortstop position on my 12U softball team, but over time I grew more timid and less sure of my ability to stop the ball.

All this made me a bit hesitant to play again as an adult. I didn’t want to be reminded of my athletic shortcomings and childhood embarrassment. But I quickly found that an adult rec. league was a different world entirely. Wins and losses didn’t really matter. Folks with all sorts of athletic abilities take the field. Over time, I discovered I was no longer filled with dread walking up to the plate. I actually looked forward to the games.

So what’s changed since my childhood softball days? Well, I can safely say my athletic aptitude has not
improved. I am not faster nor am I a better hitter. What has vastly changed in the intervening years is my willingness to fail and embrace my shortcomings.

This change has required a great deal of effort on my part. You see, I am a bit of a perfectionist. I want to do things right and I want to do them well. I worry about looking stupid or, heaven forbid, being “bad” at something. I’m often reluctant to try new things. For a long time, my perfectionism was a security blanket. It made me feel safe. However, I eventually realized that my perfectionism held me back. As a kid, my perfectionism kept me from enjoying sports. Today, it often keeps me from being vulnerable and taking risks.

I’m making progress, however. You see, my perfectionism dwindles the more I embrace the Good News. In John’s Gospel, Jesus said that he came so that we could have abundant life, and this abundant life allows us to embrace life in its fullness, without fear of failure. After all, God loves us as we are, accepts us regardless of our shortcomings or abilities and fully includes us as members of the beloved community. 

As we at the Peoples Church continue to dream and hope together, I pray that we are able to embody this sense of abundant life. I pray we are able to make mistakes and bold choices without fear of failure. After all, the Kingdom of God is a lot like a good rec. league softball team. And the team doesn’t need superstar sluggers with perfect batting averages. What it needs is more folks willing to cheer on their teammates and take a big swing when the time comes.

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Haley Hansen