MVP Trophies and Retired Uniform Numbers

“Given enough time, life will trash your trophies.” – Dr. James Dobson

When Deanna and I made the decision back in 2022 to become full-time stationary RVers, that meant that we had to really downsize. After all, we were moving from a 2-bedroom/2-bath house with a large shed into a 34’ travel trailer.

The first thing to go was our furniture, which we posted on Facebook Marketplace and sold rather quickly. The things that didn’t sell got packed up and put into a temporary storage unit until they were sold, given away to relatives, or donated to a worthy cause. It felt so liberating to hand back the keys to that storage unit after only three months, realizing the money we were saving.

We then placed the few necessities that we couldn’t do without – such as our generator, some tools, materials that I needed to run my ministry, and yes, my golf clubs – in a shed that was on our RV lot. That left just a few personal items that we had accumulated over the years… and we had to decide which ones to keep and which ones to toss.

Among the items that I parted ways with were four trophies that I had won over the years. The first was for a Pinewood Derby I won as a Boy Scout and the second was from when I was named the Most Valuable Player on my Travel League Baseball Team. The other two MVP trophies were from my years as a second baseman with The Saints Prison Ministry. I also threw away a large frame that contained my retired Saints softball jersey with #29 stitched across the back. It meant a lot to me but there simply wasn’t enough room to keep it, so into the dumpster it went.

I did keep two plaques that now hang on the wall of my home office (we moved out of the trailer in 2025 because of my vertigo). One is signed by the Secretary of State of New Jersey, certifying my win in the 2008 Republican primary for the U.S. House of Representatives. The other is from The Saints, designating me as the original member of their Hall of Fame.

My best guess is that they will hang there until I die or we move, after which I’m sure they will be thrown away. You see, my friend, earthly plaques and trophies are temporary in nature. They commemorate a singular event or accomplishment, but they really only mean something to the person whose name is at the top. After a while, they gather dust, start to tarnish or rust, and before you know it, wind up in the garbage.

That’s why Dr. James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, used to urge people to apply an “end-of-life test” to everything. Because when the noise fades, and the applause dies, only three things matter, Dr. Dobson said: “Those whom you love, who loves you, and what you did together in the service of the Lord.”

Notice that he didn’t mention MVP trophies or retired uniform numbers.

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:20 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President