PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

January 19, 2022

FOCUSING ON WHAT ONE CAN DO

When former UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden, died he left behind a treasure of writings, sayings, and sage advice.  In going through one of my folders I found the following quote: “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

Throughout his coaching career Wooden was called upon to put his insight into practice many time.  When he became coach at UCLA in 1948 he found very poor practice facilities.  During many practices on the third floor of the Men’s Gymnasium building, fondly known as “the Barn,” he would share the space with the wrestling and gymnastics teams.  Before each practice Wooden would have to sweep and mop the floor.

Wooden could have complained about the space and used it as an excuse for poor performance.  Instead, “Coach” made the decision to make the most of what he had.  For the next seventeen years he used it to mold young men into teams that would go on to rewrite men’s college basketball history.

After playing their games in “the Barn” for three years it was necessary to find a different place to play their home games.  They were forced to play at Santa Monica City College, Venice High School, Long Beach City College, Long Beach Auditorium, the Pan Pacific Auditorium, as well as other places.  In effect even home games seem much like away games.

Once again Wooden used what he could do to his advantage.  When tournament time came his team was better prepared than any other team because they always played away games.  They had never been able to rely on home court advantage to win games.

Most of the people who come to “Care and Share,” a faith based 501.C3 organization here in Plymouth, have limited financial resources.  Ken Brace, the director, helps them to focus on the resources they do have rather those who might speculate about having.  He asks questions such as: “How can you use the resources you have most effectively?”  “What resources might do you have to help with your problem?”  Helping people to discover what they can do starts them on the road to getting their financial problems in order.

Jesus had been preaching to a crowd of over 5,000 (John 6:1-15).  When it came time for lunch, Jesus asked the disciples to feed the people.  What could there do?  No grocery store close and fast food restaurants were still 2,000 years in the future.  The disciples focused on what they could not do, telling Jesus they could not fulfill his request.

There was a young boy in the crowd who knew what he could do, offer his five barley loves and two fish.  Jesus took them, blessed them, and gave them to disciples to distribute.  Miraculously, not only was everyone fed, but there were twelve baskets filled with left over bread.

All of us would do well to remember Wooden’s advice: “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can.”