I am originally from Michigan, which means I have blessed (and cursed) my children with being Detroit sports fans.

In 2000, my oldest was turning 14 and all he wanted was to go to a Tigers vs Yankees game for his birthday. It was Comerica Park’s opening season, but the Tigers were woefully bad. So, I figured I’d just grab tickets when we got there. Tyler, his brother Zack, and their friends piled in the minivan pointed toward Detroit. A light drizzle turned to rain and my attitude began to tank.

You need to know that I’m a cheapskate when it comes to my fandom. We parked a few blocks away and hiked to the ticket window. “8 tickets, preferably in the outfield bleachers or upper deck please.” The attendant looked through the metal grate in the center of the plexiglass and literally laughed in my face. When she caught her breath she said, “I only have standing room only and a few of the really expensive seats left.”

I did the quick math of how much it would cost me to stand in the rain for three hours and turned to Tyler making my best pitch to watch the game from a really cool sports bar nearby, but he wasn’t having it. “Get the standing room tickets. People won’t show for this rainy game, and we can move into seats later.” I hated that he made so much sense, so I plunked down my credit card and we went in.

When we arrived in the area behind the right field bleachers the boys dispersed to explore the park. I stewed about the rain, the cost, my lack of planning, and standing for the next two hours and fifty-five minutes.

Eventually, I noticed a large man with an official looking navy blue windbreaker, Tiger’s lanyard, and walkie talkie started circling the area where I was. “He’s probably looking for whoever is responsible for those seven wild boys running around terrorizing the ballpark,” I thought.

Trying not to be obvious I kept my eye on him, but he turned and approached me without hesitation.

“Where are your seats?”

“I don’t have any, we just have standing room only.”

“Big spender, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you know who Mr. McHale is?”

“Sorry, no.”

“It would really help if you did… Mr. John McHale?”

I shrugged.

“He’s the President and CEO of the Detroit Tigers and I’m his personal bodyguard.”

“Nice to meet you.”

By then the boys saw what was going on with the large man and ran back, probably thinking I had gotten in trouble for something. 

“Every home game he gives me his personal tickets to go find someone to give them to. How many people in your group?”

“Eight.”

He nodded and took out an envelope from his pocket, opened it and fanned out 8 tickets for seats right behind the Tiger’s dugout.

“So, do you want to stand out here in right field or go sit in the CEO’s seats?”

We were giddy. He ushered us around the concourse and right down behind the dugout. Every kid took home a ball or batting gloves or something a big leaguer tossed them. We had a vantage point that we didn’t earn and certainly couldn’t afford. Our experience was completely altered all because of one act of grace.

I’ve thought a lot about that bodyguard over the years. His job was all about paying attention. He spent most of his time identifying threats, anticipating issues, solving problems, and putting out fires. Sometimes our work doesn’t seem that different from his. You probably give a lot of time and energy to paying attention to things like that, too. I would wager that 99% of the people reading this are vigilant with those responsibilities.

But when I met him, he was paying attention to something else: Who can I show outrageous generosity to? Who can I surprise with joy? 

I want to believe that Mr. McHale put giving out tickets on the bodyguard’s job description intentionally to breathe life into the difficult situations he encountered in much of his work. But I don’t know if that’s true.

However, I do know that it can be intentional for you and me. In our work, we each have the power to change someone’s perspective, alter their experience, and give them a surprising moment of hope, joy, and grace.

Take a moment right now to consider:

• Where in my current role can I extend generosity?
• Who can I surprise with joy?