God has been too good to me. Someone said: “Who you respect is who you attract.” I totally believe that! Lord knows, we have enough “haters” and I elected long ago that I’d rather die a helper than live a hater in this Game called Life.

Since childhood, one of my heroes is MEADOWLARK LEMON. In case, you were sleeping beside Rip Van Winkle for the past couple decades you would already know that Mr. Lemon is synonymous with basketball. He has been heralded as the “Clown Prince of Basketball,” played for years with the legendary Harlem Globetrotters, played in more professional basketball games than any man alive and inducted into the 2003 Basketball Hall of Fame. Presidents, Kings, Queens, Popes and multiplied millions have watched him play in person. He has used his God given gift in over 100 countries and averaged over 325 games per year! Amazingly, he played 9,925 consecutive games and perhaps we should be calling Meadowlark not Cal Ripken “Iron Man” with a mere 2,131 straight games. Los Angeles Times Sports Writer, Jim Murray, described Meadowlark Lemon as “…an American Institution whose uniform should hang alongside the Spirit of St. Louis and the Gemini Space Capsule in the halls of the Smithsonian Institute.” 

Better yet, Meadowlark is now a child of God and an evangelist traveling the Globe sharing God’s love. Back in August 2010, I got an email from Meadowlark’s personal assistant asking me if would write the foreword to his NEW book “TRUST YOUR NEXT SHOT – A Guide To A Life of JOY!” coming out this Friday, October 15, 2010! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0984113045/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_jdp

What an honor for me and its humbling to go from a fan to friend and now fellow laborer of the Most High God. Meadowlark will be appearing on many secular shows like Oprah, Leno, Letterman and FOX & FRIENDS to share how others can win in life! Indeed, God has been too good to me and PRAISE THE LORD because He alone is worthy to be praised. This is God’s doing – not mine.  Below is the foreword that I submitted for the book and if you get a chance run (not walk) to your local bookstore and grab your copy this week (or order today on Amazon.com above). Meadowlark thrilled me as a child and blessed me as an adult. He is a winner both on and off the court and its my honor to call him friend. Truly, “What a Friend We Have In Jesus.”

My fifth grade classmate Joe told me if I paid him $10 he could get me a replica Harlem Globetrotters jersey and shorts (1981). Working around the house, raking leaves and finding coins under the couch I paid him my money with hopes of getting a replica jersey of one of my heroes – Meadowlark Lemon. Every day I asked Joe first thing at school did my jersey come in? Day after day, week after week, month after month he gave excuse after excuse. I love Joe but that brother pocketed my money and never saw much less wore the jersey that I daydreamed about. Life can be cruel but also funny. What were the odds but after a another friend’s mother won a radio contest three years later enabled her son, Patrick Cottman and I (both teammates on a Parks & Rec youth basketball league) to have the privilege to meet “in person” Meadowlark Lemon! It was 25 years ago when the legendary Globetrotters came to Landover, MD (Home of the Washington Bullets) at an 18,000 seat arena. In 1985, I was in 8th grade and Meadowlark was larger than life to me. That day, I had the privilege to play 30 minutes on an NBA court with him and the entire Globetrotter team for a basketball clinic prior to their show shooting, passing and learning the fundamentals of the game. For a kid just outside of the Nation’s Capital it was a dream come true. Meadowlark is poetry in motion coupled with charisma, charm and character captivating crowds around the world. He is a “globe-trotter” in more ways than one. He is leadership and laughter intertwined and JOY could be his middle name. He is more than the Clown of Basketball but a class act in the Game of Life.   

    Meadowlark has taught millions perhaps more from his walk than words that one can be a success professionally but still lack signifigance personally. Its more than being a winner publicly but are you exuding and enjoying “success” privately? If you got questions than Meadowlark has answers. In a world of cubic circonia’s he is the Genuine Article. Society suggests that “good guys come in last.” Mr Lemon reminds us all that not only can good guys win in the end but laugh loud enjoying the journey in the process. As a kid, I don’t remember him ever missing a shot. The blessing is that regardless of our failed attempts in life both corporately and individually what matters most is your next shot. Meadowlark could do it all on the court and these time tested truths are just as applicable in your arena of work. This book shares nuggets of  success and that by playing by the rules, teamwork and perseverance will enable you to both swish and score on your next attempt! The fact is in life we only get one shot to make it good. Over the years, I have learned a trend – “Winners are wonderful but wanabees you have to watch out for.” Meadowlark is the consummate leader and in basketball he is amazing with assists. One attribute to success is that we must be self-less not selfish. Like any good guard in basketball he sees the “big picture” and entire floor. Better yet, he not only made things happen but also promoted people in the process. Secondly, he could score at will but was never arrogant in victory. How one handles a victory is just (if not) more important than how you handle defeat. After working 17 years in Capitol Hill, I followed Meadowlark’s career from afar and to go from a fan to a friend is more than I deserve. Last year, I had Meadowlark speak at a local church in Southern Maryland and he brought the house down (just like he continues to do on the basketball court). Over the years I have met quite a few people but no one with the heart, work ethic and genuine love for others. He is more than a showman but a spokesman of Truth that transcends race, time and culture. Indirectly, he taught me the fundamentals to basketball as a teen but has taught me more as adult that winning is nothing if you don’t see the “big picture.” This Hall of Fame guard will guide you to what matters most – a relationship with Almighty God. His new book is more than a SLAM DUNK but will “assist” you to score like never before in every aspect of life. “The Greats are Gracious” and Meadowlark Lemon is both. Today, at 38, he is still larger to life to me but I am thankful that he was humble enough to reach out to not only me but multiplied millions in how to win in the Game of Life. Buy one for yourself and TEN more to give away!

   – Frank Shelton – Waldorf, MD
     Author, Motivator & Friend