COACHABLE

When I began working as a service representative years ago, I signed up to play on the office co-ed softball team. I thought it would be fun to get to know my coworkers through a social outlet outside of the workplace. But I hadn’t thought about one potential issue: I had never played in a softball league. Other than neighborhood pick-up games, I had hardly played at all.

At the first practice, I–the newcomer–was immediately invited up to bat. I’m not exaggerating to say that I missed at least thirty pitches. Embarrassed, I was ready to step aside after ten, but the coach and players were kind; they encouraged me to keep trying, and they offered suggestions for my stance, my grip, and my focus. There was “great rejoicing” when I finally connected my bat to the ball!

I improved a bit over the season but never excelled, so I didn’t expect any awards at the end of the year. But I did receive one.

Most Coachable. 😉

Now, I probably received this honor because I was the one who needed the most coaching. But I was told that I had earned the Most Coachable award because I had been willing to listen and learn, to try the team’s suggestions, and to persevere.

Forty-five years later, I see how our life experiences lead to greater wisdom, how we learn through our mistakes and corrections, how deeper maturity comes through teachable moments and revelatory insights. The years have provided me with many lessons, and yet this day could be another opportunity for growth. And I wonder if “Most Coachable” will still apply to me.

Are there times when I believe I have seen it all–so now I know it all? Are my beliefs sometimes so firmly ingrained that I can’t see through or beyond them to discover new truths? Does more confidence lead to greater stubbornness?

If I am to grow in the wisdom that comes from experience–through faith, with age–I need to maintain the spirit of a novice; to delight in being “Coachable” more than being “Champion.”

My Creator and Coach,
I hope that you will find me coachable
as you teach and guide me through life.
Help me to thoughtfully…
~consider new ideas and insights,
~set aside defensiveness in correction,
~pause before responding,
~choose the kinder assumption,
~weigh rather than discount,
~and listen more than petition.
Thank you and Amen.

Photo by Winston Chen on Unsplash