McGaffin tells graduating seniors to 'remember the lilies'

Laura LoVan was among the 2009 Spencer High School seniors who read scriptures or sang songs during their class' baccalaureate service, held May 10 at Sacred Heart Church.(Photo by Kris Todd) [Order this photo]

Andy McGaffin, a Spencer physical education teacher for 26 years and the school district's head baseball coach for 28 years, delivered a fitting message to the Spencer High School class of 2009 during a baccalaureate service hosted Sunday at Sacred Heart Church in Spencer.

McGaffin touched on worries the graduating seniors may be facing. As he explained to them how to address such worries, McGaffin also tied his love for baseball into the message.

McGaffin began by asking five seniors to come with him to the front of the church. As their former coach and teacher illustrated with their assistance that uncertainty, threatening and harmful situations can create worry, McGaffin also told Katie Simons, Jill Applegate, Kyle Fitch, Tyler Conley and Sean Elliott, "People usually worry when trying to do something well in front of others."

Former Spencer High School teacher and coach Andy McGaffin delivered a "Remember the Lilies" message during Sunday's baccalaureate service. He invited SHS seniors Katie Simons, Jill Applegate, Kyle Fitch, Tyler Conley and Sean Elliott, from left, who were among the students in his former seventh grade homebase, to the front of Sacred Heart Church to help introduce the evening's message.(Photo by Kris Todd) [Order this photo]

He then invited Simons to reach into the large bag he held before her and, without looking, identify what was in it.

As the lily the bag had been hiding was revealed, McGaffin relayed that worry is something that all people experience.

Sometimes on a daily basis, he confided.

(Photo by Kris Todd) [Order this photo]

"We worry about starting college. We worry about what our roommate will be like. We worry about what other people think of us. We worry about how we look. We worry about being accepted. We worry about the future. We worry about not failing. We worry about going to the dentist or doctor. We worry about the economy. We worry about people we love. We worry about Mom and Dad," McGaffin told the students in attendance.

"Parents worry about their kids. Parents worry about having everything ready for graduation," he also offered. " ... People often worry about events they cannot control or predict; they worry about events that seem threatening or dangerous; or they worry when faced with a new situation."

"Some worry in these situations is normal or even beneficial," McGaffin said. "However, when worry consumes a person's life to the extent that it controls that person's life, the individual can't become the person that God intended. Worry can damage your health. It can cause the object of your worry to consume your thoughts. It can disrupt your productivity. It can negatively affect the way you treat others and it can reduce your ability to trust in God."

As he referred to the scripture previously read by SHS senior Alex Johnson, McGaffin noted how it dealt with worry and overcoming it. Matthew 6:28-34 tells followers to not worry about clothes. Rather, to "see how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ... Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."

In other words, "the key to overcoming worry is found in God," McGaffin said. "He tells us to look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their own clothing, and God takes care of their needs. If God so wonderfully cares for the lilies that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he take care of you? Jesus goes on to say that God will meet your needs if you seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. ... (Which) means to turn to God first for help, to fill your thoughts with his desires, to take his character for your pattern, and to serve and obey him in everything."

Next, McGaffin referred to the scripture readings delivered by SHS seniors Mackenzie Kabrick, Laura LoVan and Nicole Green. In each, he explained, "it is evident that God promises to meet all the real needs, but not necessarily the desires, of those whose hearts are fully committed to him."

McGaffin then advised the graduating seniors, "When you receive bad news -- remember the lilies.

"When you face a new situation -- remember the lilies.

"When you face a situation over which you have no control -- remember the lilies."

As McGaffin switched direction in his baccalaureate message, he told the approaching graduates that he was worried about them.

"My worry has to do with the question that I asked you earlier: If you were to die today, would you go to heaven? I would hope you could answer yes and know why. But," he said, "I just feel that there are some of you that maybe haven't even thought about eternity or think this is something you don't need to think about until you are old."

McGaffin then used a personal favorite -- the game of baseball -- as an analogy to demonstrate God's plan for the graduates' lives and the way to heaven for them. He asked them to picture their first base in life as being salvation, their second base as church membership, their third base as being service to God, and their home plate in life being heaven.

His ensuing example of the seventh game of the 1924 World Series brought McGaffin's message home for those who'd gathered in the church.

"Washington had won three games and New York had won three games. It was the bottom of the ninth inning, the score was tied, two outs, and no one was on base. You can imagine the tension and excitement. Last game, last out, World Series," he said to set the stage.

Leon "Goose" Goslin, one of the Washington Senators leading hitters, was up to bat.

Goslin connected with the pitch. The ball, which he hit to left centerfield, looked as if it was going to be his fourth home run of the game.

"But instead of clearing the fence, Goslin's drive hit the side of the fence and bounced back onto the playing field," McGaffin said.

Everyone in the stadium stood up as Goslin rounded the bases and approached home plate.

"As the throw came in, it was high. As the catcher reached high to get it, Goslin slid under the tag. Everyone could see the throw was high, the tag was late and Goslin was safe at home," McGaffin narrated. "The crowd went wild. They emptied onto the field, tearing up the bases. As the dust settled, that fellow dressed in blue was squatted behind home plate and with his fist in the air shouted, 'You're out! You're out!' ... The umpire grabbed the megaphone, turned and faced the crowd that had come down to celebrate, and said, 'I call the base runner out because he never touched first base.'"

McGaffin then faced the SHS class of 2009 to ask, "Have you stepped on first base? Have you asked and accepted Jesus Christ into your life?"

"One day, we will all round the third base of life. When you slide into home will the umpire look at you and say, 'Safe. Well done my good and faithful servant, enter into thy reward.' Or, when you slide into home and the dust of your life settles, will the umpire stand over you, with fist in air screaming, 'You're out! You're out,'" McGaffin asked. " ... As you look at the diamond of your precious life, make sure you tag first base. ... You have a choice. You can choose to ask Jesus Christ into your life as savior and Lord and spend eternity in heaven with God or choose to do nothing and spend eternity in hell."

* For more SHS baccalaureate pictures, visit: http://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/gall...