I wish you could be here with me. I’m at the Grounds Cafe in Long Beach, working while Chandler is being tutored. I am fully equipped – stuck in a corner with my computer plugged into the only wall socket in the café, iPhone plugged into computer, and earphones plugged into iPhone. A small white rosebud on the table peeks over the back of my laptop screen providing a charming touch with the natural world in all this technology.
Up walks an elderly woman (easily in her eighties) dressed in red and commenting on how I have brought my home office with me. Then she tells me she finally got a computer and is starting computer school this week. “My husband has managed to have nothing to do with computers. He’s afraid that if he gets started, he won’t know when to stop.” Obviously that kind of thinking has not stopped his dear wife. She has the look and the spunk of someone who plans to keep on going indefinitely.
Hey, if she can do it, we can, too. Whatever it is, be it a bad habit, an old tape, an unhealthy pattern, an unconquerable sin, or a new skill, it’s doable in the power of the Holy Spirit. Just think of this lady, off to her next computer class. She’s an inspiration. Not to mention she’s the one who struck up the conversation with me.
[Correction: Some of our baseball experts have pointed out that I was wrong about the Bill Buckner play (see yesterday’s Catch). The score was tied at the time. Had he made the play, the game would have gone into the 11th inning. The truly remarkable thing about that game is that the score was 5-3 Red Sox with two outs in the 10th inning and nobody on base. Three consecutive singles and a wild pitch tied the game. Buckner’s error allowed the winning run, but they had four chances to get the final out before that even happened, which makes it rather unfair that Buckner gets all the blame.]
John Fischer The Catch 
There is something to be said about being daring enough to try new things and to continue learning no matter what stage of life we are in, I also very much respect the view point of the woman in red’s husband. Knowing when to not even start because you may not be able to stop is a valuable lesson that many of us can learn from. Technology can be as addictive as alcohol, tobacco, and sugar and can be far more dangerous than those other things often are. Staying away from temptation has its benefits as well!
Good morning, John:
While reading “The Lady in Red,” when I read the line about her husband being afraid to get started because he might not know when to stop, I actually thought you were heading in a different direction than you did. I began thinking about other things that we humans have “started and not known when to stop.” Things like drinking, smoking, lying, cheating (on tests, on tax returns, on spouses), taking a peek at pornography, gambling, gossiping, etc. Of course, there are a few individuals who have started helping, or ministering to, others and not known when to stop (because there are always more people to help), and those individuals have then neglected their own families and their own health instead. Whether we start something that may turn out “for good” or that may turn out “for bad,” it is always important for us to recognize when it’s time to stop, but we so often fail miserably at that step. So, we need to work on balancing our lives between not being afraid to get started and knowing when to stop. Unfortunately, that is not something that we humans do very well on our own.
Come, Holy Spirit, come – because we can’t do it without you!!
Lyndon Wood
Comment re: Buckner getting the blame – in my opinion, unless Buckner made the error on purpose (which is highly doubtful), he shouldn’t be getting blamed for anything. Best I remember, he is human & capable of making errors on the field & off. I don’t believe any of us need to be pointing blame for anyone making an unintentional mistake in living this life. I’ve made quite a few over the years, unintentional & intentional. I accept blame for the ones I purposely made, plead ignorance for some, & hopefully learned a bit from all of them.
I loved this story (The Lady in Red). I have had the privilege of doing a great deal of public speaking – inspirational and motivational. I have found that the greatest fodder comes from, of course, the stories of real people! Real life. Currently, I am also an asst. principal in an elementary school where I add to my speaking repertoire everyday by just watching and listening to the children. Out of the mounths of babes – much like out of the mouth of that charming Lady in Red. And you are so right: if she can tackle a new skill going into the golden years of life, the rest of us slugs can hop on board, too. It is all about attitude, isn’t it? I would love to ramble on and on , but I have to go shopping- for a new RED dress, of course!!!!
God bless you. You are an inspiration to all of us.
Peace,
Annie
It is always so inspiring to meet an older person who has an open mind and wants to keep learning new things. She is living life just as we should always be open to having a better life and learning new things especially about ourselves through that wonderful Holy Spirit that lives within us. It’s a gracious blessing that should not be taken for granted.
John, I received your request for some financial help, so sent you a small donation that I could afford. I’m sorry it can’t be for more, because I feel that the Lord has blessed you and Marti with a special ministry that is a great blessing to those of us who are ready to receive it. I am very ill these days and can’t get out of the house much. But I know the Lord still has me here for a reason. I will get better and want to be ready for when that happens. Your daily lessons inspire me and help to keep me ready to be out in the world when that day comes once again. Thank you for your thoughts and views that come from much prayer, divine inspiration, and an understanding of human nature.
I really appreciate being able to read the Catch, which for now is just once a week so I play catch up! I don’t have internet service at home and work is too busy plus they really don’t like us using it for personal e-mail. I’m not complaining because I was out of a permanent job for over a year but God was so faithful and took care of me! I now have a job that pays $2 an hour more than the last full time permanent job and have awesome benefits! The Catch is something I look forward to so you can better believe that I’m like the husband who can’t wait to read the new one! Now I’m praying that I’ll be able to get internet at home!!! There’s always something in each Catch to lift me up and encourage me.
Keep up the good work and it’s so good to hear that there are people who can’t wait to read your next one!