When I first began writing these Words of Encouragement some years ago, I sent Eric Scharrenberg, the Valley Christian High School Athletic Director, a copy of a letter I wrote to my wife near the end of the 1987 football season, and a prayer I wrote before what I thought was to be the final game I would ever coach. I would like to include those two as we begin to post some of the things I have written for Valley Christian coaches and many of the faculty and staff who have come to ask that they be included among those that receive these “Words”. Hopefully it will help those who have not read what I have written to encourage my fellow coaches and teachers to understand why I’m so thankful to God for allowing me this awesome privilege.

This is that letter and prayer written in November of 1987 before Lynbrook’s final game against Homestead High School.

Dear Arlene: You know that I have been a dreamer over the years. I’m not ashamed of those dreams. It’s just that they are “little boy” dreams and maybe at 51 years of age I ought to grow up. Deep inside I’m still playing ball on the rec field at Mt. Hermon, walking you back to the staff house, listening to the call of God on my life and dreaming how special my life will be. The special dreams have never ended. You know that one dream I had early on was to be the All League quarterback at Fremont. God granted me that dream. But, do you know that at Friday night’s game as we get ready for Homestead, then go over things at halftime and then come back in and celebrate---Lord willing---a victory that gives us the championship will happen in the very locker room where I dressed for my high school games and where I stood for the picture, that I still have in my scrap book, of me being selected the Outstanding Players in the league? Right there! Is that like a dream or not? Is God good? Oh, my, yes! A championship season, my last as a Head Coach, newspaper articles about Lynbrook, and maybe even highlights on TV. That’s fairytale stuff. Yes, it is a dream come true. But do you really want to know what I’m dreaming now? It’s this. How can I take all this and give it back to God so He gets the glory? We’ll both admit, I don’t deserve it. Any honor is a gift from God. So, how do I deal with it so that my life reflects Jesus? Can it be done in an attractive way that draws others to Christ rather than being offensive? I know I can’t do it. And that’s the problem. If it does happen it will be God’s doing. It is my dream that it will. I also dream that it will be special for the players. Someone will win---I hope my kids do. Someone will jump and shout---I hope its Lynbrook. Not so I can be puffed up! I just enjoy that good feeling and want to share it with these kids. And, if we don’t, then, we don’t. Life will go on and God will be just as good to me as He has always been. He doesn’t earn my praise by letting us win football games. He has earned my praise and the world’s praise just because He is God! All the blessings of life and health and love----and dreams---are just that, blessings. I thank Him right now for Friday night. And what about the dreams for after this season, and the next few years? Could we be bold enough to think God will let us do something that would be even more exciting than a win over Homestead, or a league championship, or Lynbrook’s first win in the CCS play-offs, or possible a CCS championship? I think of those five martyred missionary men in Ecuador who, had they lived, would be just a few years older that I and wonder if all my coaching will be burned as just so much ?wood, hay, and stubble?. Can it be that I’ve fooled myself---and us---with my little boy dreams and missed something else God had for me? No, this is the road I was to walk. I guess it is just that the area---football---where so many of my dreams centered is a book that is about to close. Not my life, just an area that I knew and loved and where God was kind and blessed. I don’t look ahead and see another season. And, when I look not too much farther ahead I even see the teaching---at least in the public school---closing, too. Does that bother me? No. Am I afraid? No. What, then, is the problem? Only that I really want a new dream. Really new and different. Different in that I want it to be totally from God. I think up to now I have come up with the dreams and then asked God to bless them. And He has---because He is good. But, could I---could we---trust God to give us any dream and then go and do it? Well, I’ve still got Friday night’s dream that I’m working on and we’ll live this on the hilt and then see what the Lord has for us. Whatever it is it will be GREAT! I really believe that. He’s given you to me to share my life with. We could do anything---together---and I’d be happy. I guess the obvious thing is---you are my best dream of all.

I wrote this prayer about 5PM on a Friday in early November of 1987.

Dear Father - A special time has come. Prepare me for the battle. I pray that I will reflect your son, Jesus. I want no praise of man---only that men would praise you. I feel this almost from fear, Father. Fear that lest I praise you I will miss the reason for my very existence. You have brought me here. You will do with me only good. I want to p\speak for you. But you must provide the correct time and words. I would be a fool for you if you desire. Help me say to the kids what needs to be said that would be more than football ---somehow, “Words of Life”. Help them, and me, to enjoy this night. I will because You are in it. Thank You, again. You are good. What a story. Help me share it well if I have the chance. Amen.

Little did I know that God had already planned for me to continue to coach at Lynbrook and then move to Valley Christian where I am still involved with the game He has allowed me to love---nearly 20 years later!

Coach Hitch