Perpetually in Training

It wasn’t that long ago that life was simple.  I had a small place in Acworth that I shared with my live-in boyfriend.  I put in my 8 hours a day processing bulk mail for a printing company.  (Yep, I’m the girl that was helping to create, and produce, junk mail!)  And, since there weren’t any kids in the picture, I had a lot of free time on my hands.  Life was easy; wake up, work, eat, sleep and play.  

The guy I was seeing, at that time, was a pretty decent pool player.  So more often than not you’d find me in a pool hall supporting him while he was gambling, or fighting for the win in a tournament.  Early in the relationship I realized that I would have to start playing pool if I wanted to actually spend time with him.  Now I don’t mean racking up a game of 8-ball and wildly shooting at balls then claiming whatever drops.  I’m talking about the serious game.  Where you call your shots, run balls and play to win!

I chose to give up the laid back atmosphere where I’d knock balls around for fun to be able to focus on becoming a pool player.   A few minor pointers, such as: chalk up prior to every shot, spread your feet enough to give you a solid stance and don’t hold the cue with a death grip, got me started.  After grasping the concept I was allowed to learn more.  I wasn’t exposed to it all at once.  I had to show application of what I had been taught and spend time adjusting to the changes first. 

Once I got my stance, grip and aim under control then I was introduced to how to apply english to the ball.  Center english is the norm, top helps you follow through and bottom causes the cue ball to stop upon contact with the object ball.  Next was english with speed.  Example: Apply bottom english with just a quick snap of the wrist (lots of luck, and patience, to you while learning this one!) and the ball will reverse itself, rolling backwards, after making contact with the object ball.  Lastly is how to use english to play position on the table. 

In a game of 9-ball you play in numerical order, sinking the 9 for a win.  It does no good to be able to run 4 or 5 balls then be forced to hand the game over to your opponent, the odds are in his favor when that happens!  Position play is the most critical part of the game, and one of the hardest things to learn!

Every new thing I learned required minor changes to my stance, grip and aim.  I can remember standing at the table thinking, ‘ok.. stance is stable, not crouching too much, left arm is solid, right arm is loose.. concentrate.. my head is aligned with my stick, bottom left english, medium speed.. ok, take a few practice strokes… concentrate… the shaft is free of debris, I’ve chalked… concentrate..’  All of that just to make a single shot!

With a lot of practice, persistence, determination and knowledge from the experienced I was able to get better.  There were times I’d lose interest and phases where I’d just be off, but I kept trying and continued to learn.  Once I got the hang of it, and was playing in tournaments and in league, I started enjoying playing more than I ever had before.  There was a goal to be met which gave the game meaning.

I view my Christian life to be a lot like learning the game of pool.  My laid back way of life slowly began transforming.  The changes in the beginning were minor adjustments that got me started in the right direction.

First I started going to church on Sundays, then made it a point to attend Wednesday nights as well.  Next was to join the church, start volunteering and give more consideration to the way I acted in my day to day life. 

Exposure to the Bible caused me to be more aware of my actions and how I treated people.  My awareness of my attitude allowed me to make wiser decisions, such as to go to counseling with Tony after one too many arguments.  We only needed one session to agree that it was time to make it right before God, and we got married a few months later.   

Every change I apply to my way of living  is followed up with more advice and knowledge that must be put into application.  Each day is begun with a conscious effort.  And I must concentrate at all times, while giving myself constant reminders of the way I need to be with my attitude and my actions. 

Only a few days ago I was thinking to myself, ’I go to church, am working on praying daily, committed to reading the Bible, volunteering in multiple areas, have put forgiveness into practice, need to work on love- especially my enemies (lots of luck, and patience, while learning this one!), started a Bible study… need to make my husband my number one priority, second to God… Whaaaat?!’   

At one point in time I was questioning how in the world I would ever be able to hit a measley pool ball while having to focus on so many different details.  Now I’m questioning on how to get through one day that requires all of the minor details to be put into place to make it go the way it should. 

Since being in my christian walk for a while I notice that I’m enjoying life a lot more than I ever have.  There’s now a goal to be met, which gives it meaning!

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