It ain’t over till it’s over

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 3:13-14

While Yogi Berra is credited with the aphorism in the title of this post, you have experienced it firsthand. Believing there was no chance for a positive outcome, you said to yourself “This thing is over!” … even before it was final.

You may well have said to yourself as you worked on a new project, helped raise funds for your church or a local charity, wrestled with a job, or struggled with a relationship only to realize that it wasn’t over at all! You emerged more than a victor; you learned something important…never give up!

The St. Louis Cardinals did it last Thursday night with their backs against the World Series wall, down three games to the Texas Rangers. Twice in Game 6, they were down to their last strike; twice they were one swing from losing it all. But they realized they were also one swing from winning it all.
David Freese and the Cardinals pulled off a stunning comeback in Game 6 of the World Series, defeating the Rangers 10-9 in 11 nail-biting innings. All this despite the proclamations of my exuberant brother-in-law that “It’s over! Give it up!”

The Cardinals pressed on believing that it wasn’t over till the last batter had an opportunity to try. Freese believed it wasn’t over and saved St. Louis with a two-strike, two-out, two-run triple that tied it in the ninth. In the 10th, Lance Berkman believed it wasn’t over, and his two-strike, two-out single made it nine all.

Then Freese, still believing that it wasn’t over, completed the amazing series of comebacks with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the 11th inning to beat Texas 10-9! As you now know the Cardinals went on to win Game 7 and the World Series all because they believed “It’s not over till it’s over!”

How is it for you? Are you one who leaves the game early because it is all over, or do you hang in there, giving hope the chance to try?

How is it for your patients, your physician partners, or your fellow employees?

It is tempting to surrender to what you think is common wisdom and give up on trying. When you do you literally take yourself out of the game with the attitude that “it is over.” This isn’t what your family wants, nor is it what any of the people in your life who trust you deserve. Don’t give up. “It ain’t over till it’s over!”