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Key Bible Verse: Dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good (2 Thessalonians 3:13). Bonus Reading:Matthew 24:45–51

In his 13-year career with the Minnesota Twins, Kirby Puckett hit .318, made the All-Star lineup ten years in a row, and won six Gold Gloves for defensive play in center field.

But what really made Kirby stand out? He was generous, giving away millions in free tickets, scholarships, medical treatment, and community service. He worked hard every day, showing up early year after year, training diligently rather than just depending on enormous talent and ego to play the game. He was steady, doing his best every game, whether the Twins were first or last in the standings. He was one of the few professional athletes to turn down a better contract elsewhere in order to stay with his team and keep his family from having to move.

But by 1996 glaucoma had so damaged Kirby's right eye that he couldn't see well enough to play. On Septem-ber 9 of that year, Twins fans paid tribute to Puckett at the Metrodome. Thousands stood outside, while inside 51,000 wept as he entered the field to say goodbye. He thanked them, slowly drove around the field with his wife, Tonya, beside him, and exited. Kirby is missed—and remembered for his consistent integrity.

—Rick Ezell in Defining Moments

My Response: A person whose steady goodness I appreciate is …

Thought to Apply: My goal in sailing isn't to be brilliant or flashy in individual races, just to be consistent over the long run.

—Dennis Conner (yachtsman)

Adapted from Defining Moments (InterVarsity, 2001) by permission.

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, I'm ready to do what it takes to become a reliable disciple You can regularly use.

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