Become a Child

I hope you don't mind all of the baseball-themed devotional thoughts. Since that's where most of our evenings are spent these days with three boys playing, that's where my mind is a lot of the time! But, the baseball field also provides me with a lot of devotional material - some positive and some negative.

Tonight, in the tee ball game right before Tyler's, the game was very close. I could tell it was close, even without a working scoreboard. How, you ask? Because of the attitude of one of the coaches and some of the fans. You know, most of the kids on both teams at the tee ball age really don't seem to have a clue about who is winning and who is loosing. They're just having fun - which is what it is (or should be at that age) all about. It would be good for all adults at the tee ball field to have the same attitude the children have.

Jesus told His disciples to be more like children, too. Look at the following passage:

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:2-5

Becoming like children by humbling ourselves is what Jesus wanted from His disciples and what He desires from all of His children.

It's always interesting at tee ball games. The bleachers and sidelines are filled with parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, watching their littles ones playing. Everyone has high expectations - wanting their child to be the best and do their best. But, as the boys and girls get older, there are fewer and fewer fans watching from the sidelines. And little by little the children grow up, all the time learning and changing until they are adults themselves. But Jesus doesn't say change and become more like adults, He says, "change and become like little children".

Let's become like a child. That's the attitude Jesus wants us to have.

Kindness on the Tee Ball Field

Note: Be sure to vote on the June fun poll: "What's your favorite candy bar?"

Last Saturday we were waiting for Tyler's (a.k.a. "Biscuit") tee ball game to start. While watching the two teams playing before him, we saw an act of kindness that was really cute and even sacrificial.

A little boy was on 1st base. His teammate hit the ball and he began running to 2nd. On his way there, the ball was right in his path, but instead of jumping over it, the little boy leaned down and got the ball. Then he did something amazing! He handed the ball to the 2nd baseman! Fans of both teams roared in laughter watching the little boy's act of kindness. It was soooooo sweet! Unfortunately, he was called out. I wish they would have just left him on second base, but I don't think he had a clue what had happened, anyway!

Sometimes in our acts of kindness helping others, we may have to sacrifice something. It may be that we give up our time to help someone in need. Maybe we give money to help someone else, when we really don't have much to spare. Or maybe we offer our talents to help someone who is struggling with getting something accomplished. True kindness is helping someone unconditionally and unselfishly.

Of course, this little tee ball player didn't even comprehend what he did, but he showed kindness by helping someone else. Jesus went to the cross, knowing what He was about to go through. He willingly died for us - and he did it unconditionally and unselfishly. This was true kindness. True kindness in which He was willing to sacrifice His life for us.

Be kind to one another...Ephesians 4:32

"TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME!"

This has been a week full of baseball! Little league is so much fun for kids, parents, and grandparents.

We had three ballgames today. The oldest two played at the same time, but thankfully the fields are across from each other, so I can watch both of them. My husband helps coach the oldest's team, but I could hear him yelling out to the other one any time he was up to bat, "Go get 'em, Hankus!" (his dad's nickname for him).

There aren't too many conflicting schedules this year. Last year there were several with all four playing, and our daughter's field was the farthest field at the complex. Less walking back and forth this year is great!

Our oldest son, Zachary, pitched for his team today. He's a pretty calm kid, which is a good thing. After striking out quite a few opposing players, another mom asked me if he would get a "big" head after all of his teammates were saying how good they thought he was doing. I told her I didn't think so. After the game, I asked him about it. He said, "I just kept thinking to myself, 'don't listen to them'", so he wouldn't get over-confident! I thought that was neat. Incidentally, they won their first game.

Jacob, the almost-11-year-old, plays catcher. He has played catcher for four years now and volunteers for that position. Not many want to play catcher because of all of the garb they have to wear!

Jacob is not quite as calm as his older brother. Actually, sometimes I tease him by saying that I see steam coming out of his ears. He works on self-control. I guess I should say that he and I work on his self-control - and have since he was 2! I explain to him, that even though he may be disappointed in his or a teammates' performance during the game, his anger shouldn't show on the outside. He works hard at it, but sometimes it's not easy. When he hears his whole name being called from the fence or stands, he knows momma is giving him a warning that his attitude needs an adjustment! On the other hand, he's an encourager to his teammates, too. It's just those little every-once-in-a-while moments we all experience in different ways. So far Jacob's team has two wins, two ties, and no losses. A big change from only winning two games towards the end of the season last year!

The youngest, Tyler, (a.k.a. Biscuit) is playing his second year of tee-ball. Tee-ball is so much fun! Tyler is a lefty and has a pretty strong arm. He's only had two games, but has played pitcher, 2nd base, and 3rd base. He was on 2nd base at the beginning of the game today. A ball was hit towards second and he got it. He threw towards 1st base, but, unfortunately, it hit the little boy running to first just as he reached the base. The ball hit him in the stomach, so of course the little boy was crying. His daddy came and carried off the field. They got him a pinch runner. Tonight Tyler said, "Mom, I wanted to cry on the field today. I felt so bad that I hit that little boy. I told him I was sorry." I thought that was so sweet!

As with any sport, lessons can be learned that can be applied to our daily lives as Christians. Here are just a few that I thought about:

1. Work together. It is important.
(Exodus 18:13-22)

2. Be humble, not proud.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves", Philippians 2:3

3. Learn self-control.
"In your anger do not sin", Ephesians 4:26a
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."", James 4:6b

4. Say "I'm sorry".
"And be kind to one another", Ephesians 4:32

5. Your attitude is a choice.
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" Philippians 2:5

6. Do your best.
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might", Ecclesiastes 9:10a

Can you think of any others?