your2ndwind: 42 - A Testimony of Courage

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. "
- spoken by Atticus Finch, by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

This week's blog focuses on a necessary component in one catching a 2^nd wind, and that is the characteristic of courage... a person needs courage to keep on going when he/she would rather quit. Let me explain.

Last month I saw “42,” the Jackie Robinson story, and I was so inspired by both Jackie Robinson, the star baseball player and by Branch Rickey, his general manager, men who showed tremendous courage throughout the entire film. (I should admit that I saw “42” three times in 2 weeks (!)... once with my wife, one time I showed it to the young adults at the church where I'm a minister, and one time we did a “family movie night”...my kids watched it with us).

As everyone knows, Mr. Robinson was the first black baseball player in the Major Leagues in the mid-40's, and he faced daily threats and criticisms wherever he went both verbally, by mail, from fans, players (even some from his own teammates!), managers, etc. Mr. Rickey was also attacked by his peers for walking this new and narrow road. At one point, the movie shows two or three folders full of hate letters written to Robinson threatening attacks on him and his family, something that was shocking to teammate Pee Wee Reese.

One of my favorite quotes was when Branch Rickey confronted Robinson about his hot temper. He possessed the talent, but his temper could throw everything they were working toward away. He went on to tell the young man, “It takes guts not to fight back. It takes guts to turn the other cheek.”

Ouch. It is easy to give a rebuttal to a person’s ignorance, hatred, or discrimination, especially when one believes he or she is justified in the rebuttal. How easy would it have been for Jackie to respond to every racist person who thought it was his duty to demean him and call him hurtful names like, “nigger” and “monkey”? How easy would it have been for him to give into the provocation the others were quick to oblige him with? It takes self-control, discipline, and knowing who your identity and worth to keep from providing a provoked rebuttal. At the end of the day it may feel fine for a second, but did you rebuttal accomplish anything worth it? Turning the other cheek and choosing not to fight takes serious restraint. Can you say that you are capable of practicing that type of restraint today?

You never know who is watching...

Jackie Robinson did not consider himself a hero but ‘little Black boys’ playing baseball at the local parks did. That just goes to show you never know whose life you are affecting. Here Jackie is wanting to play his favorite sport. I am sure he never imagined the long-lasting effect it would have on the culture of America from that time forward. I am positive he never imagined he was changing the world. I can almost guarantee he had no idea he would inspire future businessmen, athletes, presidents to pursue their dreams despite being the first to take the road less traveled.

I think my favorite quote in the whole film was when Robinson would say, “God built me to last.” And I believe that Rickey said it about him once or twice as well. For Robinson knew that he was made to endure, that he had to have thick skin and a strong will, that he must press on and overcome obstacles, that his was harder and that he could make it. Somehow, deep within, he just knew. I guess he did, because in spite everything that was in his face, he still was Rookie of the Year, leading the Dodgers into post season play, all while maintaining a happy marriage.

Mr. Robinson, I believe caught a 2^nd wind, a 3^rd wind, and several more winds. His career and his show of courage are an example to us all.

Here is a trailer: "42" trailer