No One Cares

The Kansas City Royals are bad. In fact, they are terrible. After another loss last night, they find themselves with a record of 10-32. They have already had an 11-game losing streak this year, and their loss last night made their current streak reach 9 games. They are, in fact, on pace to lose the most games in the history of Major League Baseball.

On Sunday, one of their pitchers, Scott Elarton, had had enough. After a blowout loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, he lashed out during some post game interviews. He talked about how terrible the team was. He mentioned how that, when one part of the game would be going well, another would be awful. (All that seems to be true, by the way.)

Then, however, he said something that drew a lot of criticism. At the end of his tirade, Elarton said, “and no one seems to care.” That’s a strong statement. Say what you want about professional athletes and their salaries, but they are still professionals. They have to care, or they can easily be replaced with other players who do!

That statement stuck with me somewhat when I heard it. Here was a man who obviously had a terrible feeling inside. There is an almost sick feeling that a person gets when he or she feels that no one cares for something being done.

Maybe you’ve worked hard on a project for school or work, and it goes unappreciated. Maybe you labor hard at home to make the house a great place, but your family doesn’t pay a compliment. Maybe you encourage people by sending cards or making calls, but you never receive a “thank you” in return. It can seem as though no one cares.

In the long ago, David took it one step further. In hiding, at the end of his rope, David wrote, “Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul” (Psalm 142:4, ESV). Take note that one of the proofs of the Bible’s inspiration is that it shows heroes even in their moments of sin or despair.

David actually felt that no one cared for him at all–not even for his soul! That’s a scary thought. It just reminds us once more of the need to offer others a word of encouragement. Even a simple “thank you” or “attaboy” can lift someone’s spirits. It can pull someone from a low point in life. Let me end this post with the words of an old song that we just do not sing enough anymore. The words were written in 1916 by Lizzie DeArmond

Have you lifted a stone from your brother’s way

As he struggled along life’s road?

Have you lovingly touched some frail toilworn hand,

Shared with someone his heavy load?

Have you spoken a word full of hope and cheer?

Have you walked with a slower pace,

Till the weary of heart who were struggling on,

Took new courage to run the race?

Have you held up your light thro’ the shadows dark,

So that somebody else might see?

Have you lived with the Christ thro’ the long, long day,

Gaining many a victory?

O the things we may do, you and I;

O the love we can give if we try;

Just a word or a song as we’re passing along,

They will count in the great by and by.