I almost didn't go to the noon meeting today. If I hadn't gone then I wouldn't have heard a guy say that he really appreciates the dedication of those of us who come regularly. I didn't get to share but I am kinda grateful because I got to focus on what I heard.

This afternoon when I walked out of our building a guy called out my name at the bus stop. He said that he had just got out of the rehab and he remembered me. I regret that I didn't ask him his name.

This evening I got to go to my son's baseball game. When I got there I was disappointed in a few things:
The head coach was just making the lineup.
The assistant coach drew the batter's box wrong.
There were no other assistants there getting the kids warmed up.
I had to get batting warmups going and they had no intention of doing them.
The coach didn't have anyone ready to run the scoreboard box.
The pitching coach makes the boys take the first pitch which wastes a pitch.

My Dad came to the game and he stood next to the dugout grumbling about the poor coaching. I had to chase the kids and I too got irritated at the lack of preparation.

After the game we had dinner with my folks. When they left I went out and talked to my apart from the kids and told him that I agreed with him about the poor coaching and I went through the laundry list of criticisms of them. This just fed my Dad's resentment.

Afterward I felt remorseful. I felt that I had done exactly what I heard Fr. Barron talking about last night, I had slandered. I had borne false witness. I had spoke critically about the coaches behind their back. This is dishonest because I would not say this to them directly.

Afterward I thought about I need to work on doing more to help rather than just criticize. I need to get there early and line up the boys for warmups. I need to learn how to use the scoring box. I need to offer to do a lineup.

I need to be grateful that my son gets to play ball and that men are willing to coach. I should have a forgiving and grateful spirit and build them up rather than knock them down.

A woman approached me at the ballgame and said that she knew me from a meeting. I should have asked how she was doing in sobriety. But I didn't I guess as a matter of boundaries.

Thanks be to God for a good day.