Here we go again

So, Josh Hamilton has just admitted to "slipping off the wagon" by drinking and being with
"scantily dressed women" last January. He stated he called his accountability partners, his
wife, the Rangers, and MLB to tell them what happened. He is taking full responsibility for
his actions. He isn't blaming anyone else while doing so.

He will still get flamed - but NOT by this blogger. After his long struggle to defeat alcoholism, he realized the battles are won, but the ongoing war against it continues. He messed up, he fessed up, and now he is going to work on fixing the damage it caused.

He will be told by others that his Christian witness is shot. Nope, not at all true. All this does is show his witness to be more valid than ever. He relied on God to help him fight his alcoholism. He slipped - as ALL of us do. He admitted it, and is now learning from it as he turns back to God once again for strength to fight the fight again.

We cannot judge too harshly. We all do dumb things, stop doing them, then slip up. It is part and parcel of who we are. Many people try to explain it away, make excuses for it, or blame others for what is happening. Then we turn around and expect others - especially those who
are famous - to live to a higher standard than we can attain ourselves. I know - I was part of
an organization who's leaders held its members to a higher moral standard than they were able
to live themselves. Before potshots are taken at Hamilton, look to the mirror to see if a perfect
human being is staring back.

Hamilton still deserves to be admired and respected. He still deserves to be given the chance to
play a game he loves. He will face whatever consequences the Rangers and MLB decide upon. He will do it as a man. We still have much to learn from Hamilton and his walk with God. His
witness will become even stronger. His career will, hopefully, go on.

As for this blogger - the Josh Hamilton autographed ball, the posters, the mouse pad I have will continue to be proudly displayed. I will still cheer for him when he gets introduced and each time he comes to bat. I hope others will do the same. He is still an example of what happens when we turn to Christ - we become forgive, still fallible human beings with a strength to fight whatever demons we face while having someone to pick us up when we fall down.

Keith Boepple