USGN July 2003 article
TERRY& BARBI FRANKLIN
Written by Terry Franklin

Homeruns and Strikeouts

One of the things I love about summer is baseball – it truly is an amazing game.  It’s incredible that a slow paced, strategy-oriented game would flourish in our frenzied, hyperactive culture.  But maybe that’s it: we NEED something like baseball to slow us down, allow us to think, to ponder, to “cleanse the palette” of our minds. (How’s that for mixing metaphors?)

Our 2 boys are now teenagers and nearing the time when they will be leaving home.  In raising our sons (keeping with the baseball theme) I’ve had some hits, some strikeouts, and some errors. I’ve tried to be a good dad, but even good dads make mistakes.

I wish I would have taught them more about money and its value.  Like many parents, Barbi and I gave the boys many “things” through the years, but I don’t think they realize what it took to pay for those items.  I would have taught them more about investing money and staying out of debt, but we haven’t always been a real good example in these areas…Strikeout.

I also wish I would have personally taught them God’s Word more.  Barbi and I talked about the bible a lot, but I wish I would have been more systematic in my approach.  However, we did pray every day in some way, and the boys have seen the power of prayer over and over….Single.

On the other hand, we’ve hit the ball pretty good occasionally.  Both boys will turn their heads if something “inappropriate” comes on the T.V.  I’ve seen them switch channels ON THEIR OWN many times to keep from viewing something that would be dishonoring to God. 

We’ve also observed them being quick to reach out to those in need, and also showing honesty and integrity.  Recently our boys told me of an experience they had at a Burger King.  “Dad, the guy behind the counter just handed us a cup to get a Coke, and whispered that we didn’t have to pay – as long as the other employees didn’t see us getting a drink.”  I asked him, “What did you do?”  One of the boys said, “Well Dad, like, that wouldn’t be right – we told him we weren’t going to take something that wasn’t ours, and like, we paid for it anyway.”  Homerun!

As we endeavor to fix the things we’ve failed to accomplish, we hope it’s not too late to make some fruitful and wise changes.  There have certainly been many more strikeouts I haven’t mentioned, but also, thankfully, many doubles and triples, and an occasional homerun.  Go Braves!

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