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PERFECT

She just may be the best women's softball player ever. Lisa Fernandez will strive for perfection in the Sydney Olympics after nearly attaining it in Atlanta 1996.

In one game, Fernandez did not allow a runner to reach base for 9 2/3 innings. No walks, no hits, no errors. Unfortunately the U.S. team could not manage a run. What would have been a winning run in the 6th inning became an out when a U.S. base runner missed home plate. With two outs in the bottom of the tenth, Fernandez gave up a home run that ended the game.

Though she was disappointed to just miss out on Olympic perfection, Fernandez has had a career filled with accomplishments and accolades. Despite the extra-inning loss, the U.S. later won the 1996 gold medal as Fernandez batted .348 and had a sparkling 0.33 ERA in the tourament. She also led the U.S. pitchers with 33 strikeouts.

In her collegiate career at UCLA, Fernandez was named the best player in college three times (1991-93). Her collegiate career included an incredible 0.23 ERA. But she is not just a great pitcher. Fernandez also had a batting average of .510. Both her pitching and hitting helped lead the Bruins to two national championships.

Was it always this easy for the world's best softball player? Not according to the player herself. Fernandez recalls the first game she ever pitched as an 8-year old. Her team lost 28-0.

"I walked the bases loaded. I was hitting people. I walked 20 in that game. But the next games, I made sure I only walked 18, and slowly but surely I developed into the pitcher I am now."

What a great attitude. Many people may have never pitched again after walking 20 in one game. They may have felt humiliated by their failure. But Fernandez focused on improvement. With a realistic goal in mind, Fernandez looked to lower her walk total. Instead of shooting for instant perfection, she recognized that development takes a lot of time and a lot of practice.

So you might expect now that she is recognized as a premier softball player, Fernandez would have no room for improvement. But her motto is "Never Be Satisfied."

Fernandez has said, "I work hard to reach my goals, and my motivation is to continue to improve on a daily basis."

What a fantastic attitude. She still looks to improve on a daily basis.

Can you imagine how much stronger Christians would be if they applied the same attitude to their faith? What if you make it your goal to improve your relationship with God on a daily basis? I believe you will get closer and closer to God. I believe your standards will begin to more closely reflect God's high standards.

Jesus taught his followers, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48

That teaching should not discourage you, but should challenge you to give your very best for Jesus Christ. Jesus also taught that discipleship involves daily training.

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

With Christ as your coach, you must die to your desires and temptations and choose to follow him daily. A gold medal is a great achievement. But nobody will take their gold medals to heaven with them.

Follow Christ. God will reward you with a crown of righteousness that will last for all of eternity. Now that will be perfect.

Christ my Coach,

Steve Teel