If you build it…

Ray, people will come Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they’re doing it. They’ll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won’t mind if you look around, you’ll say. It’s only $20 per person. They’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they’ll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They’ll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they’ll watch the game and it’ll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they’ll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh… people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.

Terence Mann in Field of Dreams, as spoken by American actor, James Earl Jones, born on this day in 1931.

Maybe more people would come if I made this blog about baseball.

Probably not.

I’m probably more qualified to write about cornfields.

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Don’t get me wrong, I can enjoy a good baseball game or two, and the accompanying forty dollar beer. But I don’t go often. I’m not a big fan.

Still, I get all sniffly at the end of Field of Dreams.

Wanna have a catch?

Sigh…

James Earl Jones also said When I read great literature, great drama, speeches, or sermons, I feel that the human mind has not achieved anything greater than the ability to share feelings and thoughts through language.

Jones has inspired us for years through his acting and his incredible voice. Whether it’s as Terence Mann or the voice of Darth Vader, his voice is unmistakable. He’s had a remarkable career.

I wrote last week about finding my inspiration. It’s no secret that I’m often inspired by theater and film. I’m also inspired by great written works, and sometimes some not so greatly written works that are still appeal in just an “it’s fun to read” way.

And sometimes it’s just binge-watching my way through Netflix.

I’m not sure that there’s anything profound to say here. I mean, let’s face it, James Earl Jones is profound enough for all of us.

But as I surf the web, or listen to the news, I hear and read all of the horrible things that are going on. Whether it’s natural disaster or the failure of our leadership or violence in the streets.

We could use a little more inspiration these days.

At the same time, we can’t hide in theatre on film or behind books.

There’s a broken world out there that needs a little more hope. Or a lot more hope.

We each have to find that thing that gives us hope, that helps us share hope with others.

People of faith understand this.

My faith tells me this:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

– Jeremiah 29:11

Your faith system may vary.

But, just as there was hope that the crowds would come to Ray’s baseball field, there’s hope in this world.

I’m rambling here. I don’t know why I had so much trouble with this post for today.

Maybe I’m thinking if you write it, they will come.

Maybe I’m realizing that not every daily post is going to be brilliant and amazing.

Maybe it’s just a Wednesday in the midst of winter.

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