I never was a hater when he left. I really disliked the way he did it, felt a young man was surrounded by influencers who gave him poor advice (not necessarily about "the decision", but about the way to handle it), and felt grief for him when so many people who had been fans not only acted despicably towards him, but towards his family. He had a right to play where he wanted to play, and make the decision he wanted to make.
I LOVE that he is coming home. I love even more that HE considers it coming home. I DOUBLE-TRIPLE-QUADRUPLE LOVE the way he is doing it. I completely identify with several things he said in his announcement:
"People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming."
In it's own way, that is what it is like to be a pastor's child, spouse, or a pastor. The love and support people give you is such a gift. But it is also overwhelming. If you ever do anything that isn't what they would do, you can be so harshly rejected and criticized, it takes your breath away. There aren't words to adequately explain how much it hurts to be treated badly when YOU still love them.
"But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball."
Oh, yeah, LeBron. Hope is my big word. On my Bible it is engraved, "Speak Hope". A huge HOPE sign hangs in my office, and multiple signs declaring hope all over my house. My life is dedicated to bringing hope and inspiration in Jesus' name. I consider it a down day if I haven't been able to lift anyone. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is so much bigger than being pastor at Cornerstone Church. I feel as called at Wal Mart or Target or the ball field as I do in my pulpit. This is MY place. The place God gave me to make a difference.
" I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now."
Ah. Growth and humility. We never see enough of it. I personally have grown so much in the last 4 years, 10 years, 20 years. I am SO glad most people have been willing to let me grow with new realizations and not hold me to what I knew and didn't know back in the day.
"If I had to do it all over again, I’d obviously do things differently, but I’d still have left. Miami, for me, has been almost like college for other kids. These past four years helped raise me into who I am. I became a better player and a better man. I learned from a franchise that had been where I wanted to go. I will always think of Miami as my second home. Without the experiences I had there, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today."
This and other statements attest to the same thing I can say. There are a few things I have done in life I would do differently if I could get a re-do. But they taught me. I haven't wasted my tears or pain. I admire that HE hasn't, and is quick to give gratitude and applause to those who helped him grow.
"To make the move I needed the support of my wife and my mom, who can be very tough. The letter from Dan Gilbert, the booing of the Cleveland fans, the jerseys being burned -- seeing all that was hard for them. My emotions were more mixed. It was easy to say, “OK, I don’t want to deal with these people ever again.” But then you think about the other side. What if I were a kid who looked up to an athlete, and that athlete made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left? How would I react? I’ve met with Dan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We’ve talked it out. Everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?"
Family before career. Giving and receiving forgiveness. No grudges. Oh, man. That's good stuff.
"I feel my calling here goes above basketball. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Miami, but I think it can mean more where I’m from."
Oh, I love that word "calling." God has given each one of us gifts, and a person will never be more blessed than the moment he/she not only KNOWS what the gift is, but what is the CALLING that goes with it. What were you sent here to do?? I agree with LeBron--his presence here will make such a difference. MY presence here makes such a difference. Everyone who is living out their calling has that same thrill. Funny--this morning before this had even happened, I wrote a blog about how much I love this town Akron. God has CALLED me here. No other place has the appeal of the place where you know your presence makes a difference. I am thrilled FOR LeBron and BY LeBron that he knows this.
Oh, yeah---I get that. I struggle, My church struggles, My community is in a struggle right now. But I am in it up to my eyeballs, loving the challenge, and glad for the opportunity. This is my home.
WELCOME HOME, LeBron. I am praying for you, that your presence and leadership will make even more of a difference than you dream.
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