John David’s first spoken word was neither mama nor dada. No, his very first word was ball. Ginny and I were so excited when we first heard it we failed to embrace the true significance of that word. Several years later, we understand more of that first spoken oracle from our son. He’s played in nine t-ball games in the past eight days. That’s enough to wear anybody out, especially parents monitoring another toddler and a newborn. The things we do for our children. I suspect heaven has a special place for parents having to endure so much. Somebody please say yes.
Personally, I enjoy going to the Little League games. Not only do I get to help coach and instruct some future Hall of Famers, I also get to engage in my second favorite pastime – people watching. I enjoy watching people interact, seeing all the varieties of lifestyles, family genetics, and personalities coming together in a great big melting pot called life.
However, when you add so many different ingredients to the pot, as well as the excitement of competition, you sometimes get a recipe for trouble. Such was the case a few days ago when a scuffle broke out between adults. I don’t know the details, nor are they pertinent, but I do know I am grateful that John David was preoccupied and did not witness it.
It made me sad to think of all the young children around to witness such a sight. Instead of focusing on the important matters—supporting the athletic development and teamwork in children—parents chose to argue and allow their resentment to escalate into a brawl. The amazing thing is after it was broken up and both escorted to the parking lot, later they were allowed to reenter the ballpark. I suspect they brought the hostility and corrosive attitudes back in as well.
Life can bring out the best and worst in all of us. In some respects I can see the little league fields as a microcosm of the church. People of many ages and from all different walks of life come together to cheer, support, encourage, observe, coach, participate, and visit; but, there can also be disagreements, judgment, and indifference too. Hopefully, the big difference is the way we resolve our differences and seek to bring unity and peace, not division and strife.
Yet, that only happens when we all are conforming ourselves into Christ’s likeness. Even so, we have to remain careful as to what type of presentation we are making for children and our children’s children. As the children’s song goes: Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see. Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see. There's a Father up above, looking down in tender love, So be careful little eyes, what you see.
I hope what our children see at church is parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and even strangers (at least for a few weeks) all gathering to witness to our faith in Christ while seeking to include as many people as possible in the big game. In a few weeks we will offer the children and kids in the community VBS. I hope we all come together in making them feel and understand how important they are to us and to God. While I have the chance, I am going to invite as many of the little leaguers as I can to attend, please join me by reaching out to the children in your circle of life. Together we can make a positive difference.
I look forward to seeing you at the children’s place on Sundays,
Travis
