The Pursuit of Happiness

Last weekend, a story hit the wires that made news in baseball circles but did not get much play beyond us baseball freaks. A young man of 23 years named Grant Desme decided to leave baseball and begin the process of becoming a Priest. Last year, he played A ball at both Kane County and Stockton. Both are Oakland A's minor league teams. He batted .288 with 31 home runs, 89 runs batted in (rbis) and 40 steals. He was the only player at any level in the minors to have 30 home runs and at least 30 steals. In his fall league, he hit .315 with 11 home runs and 27 rbis in 27 games. This young man has talent and was expected to rise to AA or AAA ball in the spring. He was quoted in the San Francisco Chronicle as saying "I'm doing well in baseball. But I had to get down to the bottom of things, to what was good in my life, what I wanted to do with my life. Baseball is a good thing, but that felt selfish of me when I felt that God was calling me more. It took a while to trust that and open up to it and aim full steam toward Him...I love the game, but going to aspire to higher things."

How many of us hear the call to do something different but ignore it? Many of us have but not acted on it and find ourselves going through the motions. There are many factors one has to consider when determining your life's work. Money is certainly one of them. You have to admire this young man's maturity and decision. He is pursuing his call and willing to give up the potential of millions of dollars and a different kind of glory. How many of us would put our faith in God and forgo all that he has? It would be very difficult.

He has entered a Catholic Seminary in Orange, CA and will begin to discern whether the Priesthood is for him. Selfishly, I hope it is, but only God knows that answer. The fact that he is willing to put his trust in God is a good first step. For the rest of us, be open to your purpose and determine the right path for you. We don't get many chances to pursue happiness in our lives, so be open to it when you can.