Justin Sullivan A Life Worth Following

I am amazed at the people God continues to bring across our path.  Years ago, when Justin went to be with the Lord, we had no idea all the ways the Lord would use him and the story of the Ambassadors in the lives of other people.  As the journal came out, I did not realize that the Lord would speak to so many who have experienced loss.  We have been so blessed to connect with other people who have also experienced personal tragedies and have gone through trials just like we have.  It has also been a special treat from the Lord to cross paths with other spiritual giants who have gone before us and those spiritual giants who are working through the daily struggle of grief.  

Recently, I received an email from a father who lost a son.  His name was Parker and he was a baseball guy.  He was also a catcher just like Justin.  Though Parker's journey with the Lord was different than Justin's, his life of faith was very similar.  Parker was a young man who had a personal relationship with God and lived it out on the baseball field.  As "A Life Worth Following" came out and the Ambassadors entered the baseball scene, the Lord used our ministry in the life of a precious family who experienced a difficult loss and we wanted to share this precious story with you today.  

So, go grab a tissue and get ready to listen to the Lord as you spend some time with a younger "Giant" of the faith named Parker, written by his father.  

A TRIBUTE TO MY BEST FRIEND 

A man kneels down next to a chainlink fence and looks across a dew covered baseball field where a quick dirt whirlwind from the early spring winds blows across the pitchers mound.  Next to home plate a young man wearing a helmet listing to one side tightly grips his Mark McGuire “tee” ball bat looks back at the man and gives him a quick but firm nod.  The man whose best friend approaches the plate connects with the ball on the “tee” and runs with all of his might to first base. They look at each other with the same smile of a father and son………………

A man stands next to a dugout as the summer Oklahoma heat bears down upon the freshly drug baseball field with the smell of cut grass blowing through the air.  He hears the slow but steady thumping of a pitching machine as it is being adjusted to throw the perfect pitch.  Out in centerfield stands his best friend with a left cheek bulging with Major League bubblegum and the determination on his face of a big leaguer.  The machine throws a pitch and it’s a hit to deep centerfield. The man watches as his best friend shields his eyes from the hot sun and begins to sidestep backwards sizing up the catch.  He stops looks up as he hears runners rounding the bases and the crowd screaming then he sees it….sidesteps to the right and “POP” the ball sits neatly in the web of his glove. Third out, game over!  He looks over towards the dugout and holds the ball up in the air, again the same smile of a father and a son…………………

A man squats down slowly buckling the straps on his best friend’s shin guards making sure they were in place and secure.  He dusts off the chest protector and slides it over his friend’s head.  The man watches as he walks out to the plate slapping his mitt on the side of his leg knocking off the dust grinning from ear to ear as the umpire gives him some big leaguer advice.  He looks back at the man gives him a nod as he slides his mask over his head. His best friend positions himself behind the plate giving signals to his pitcher.  A couple pitches are thrown in the dirt, he snatches them up like a cat.  The next pitch is thrown, the batter turns and puts down a bunt towards third then heads for first base.  The catcher throws off his mask, scoops the bunt out of the dirt and makes a hard throw to first and beats the runner by a step.  He picks his mask up out of the dirt turns towards the fence, again the same smile of a father and a son……………

A man stands behind a backstop and watches as his best friend plays catch warming up for a try out on a 12 and under tournament team.  Being only 11 his best friend was a little nervous but determined to prove he was good as anyone else trying out.  He walked up to the man and said he was going to catch a 7^th grader and being a 5^th grader was a little excited.   He donned on his catching gear and positioned himself behind the plate and the deal was on.  The first few pitches came in hard and clean with a few getting by, he looked over at the man and grinned.  The man knew then his best friend was in his element as he watched him fall into his comfort zone.  Pitch after pitch came with his bestfriend snagging each one as if they were his last.  Afterwards he walked to the 7^th grader and thanked him for making him look good. He jogged over to the man looked up at him with a big smile and said:

 “I caught a 7^th grader and it was no problem….let’s go tell mom!”  

Again the same smile of a father and a son……………

That best friend is my son Parker, my name is Marty Milster my wife is Carol and Parker’s sister is Kristin.  I am writing this little story about Parker, after he had his tryout he made the team.  They practiced preparing for the spring season and Parker was all over it.  The season slowly approached and we were getting anxious to play.  Unfortunely as we prepared to go to the first game something we had never expected nor even dreamed of happened.  Unexpectedly Parker passed away that morning on April 1, 2006.  

Our world instantly was turned upside down.  I want you to know we miss Parker tremendously but the greatest relief was knowing that Parker was in heaven with our Heavenly Father.  You see Parker was a very spiritual young man, as a little boy he was already witnessing to his friends at school and on the baseball field.  He would pray before each game, for himself and his teammates.  He left a great impact on his school, Washington Elementary and really anyone whoever met him.  Parker like Justin had another agenda. Baseball was just a path that helped get them there.  I hope and pray that each and every dad that reads this will see how much joy I had in living and loving my best friend Parker. Thank you to the Ambassador Program and team for helping us and continuing to share Parker’s legacy.  

A proud father, 

Marty Milster