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Spiritual Lesson From a Freckle-Faced Boy in a Cincinnati Reds Cap
A Deal Made With IrelandSYNOD OF DRUM CEATT (494 - 5): It is interesting to observe that the dominant cleric of the Catholic Church at .....
I've had the honor of being in many churches and therefore on
the receiving end of more stirring sermons than I could even
begin to count. I enjoy Bible reading daily as well as a rich
prayer life. However, one of the most life-changing,
Spiritually-enlightening moments in my life didn't even come in
a church. It didn't come while on my deck, surrounded by morning
glories and petunias.
It came during a AAA Baseball game! God absolutely works in
Religious Scouting ClubHave you ever heard of a religious scouting club' Probably many of us have heard of scouting clubs such as boy scouts, girl scouts and cub scouts. ..... mysterious ways.
My husband, our daughters and I were enjoying a ballgame on a
warm August evening. Enjoying, because we were together, we were
eating unbelievably delicious ballpark hot dogs and our team was
winning. The only negative presence in our world that evening
was about 4 ft. tall with tousled bangs, adorable freckles, a #4
little league jersey and an unforgettably irritating
"It's-all-about-me-and-I-dare-you-to-say-it-isnt" aura.
Recalling the whining of this miniature Red's fan makes the
hairs on my neck stand at attention even today, three years
later!
We first became aware of him about 20 minutes before the game,
when he stomped over our feet while trying to get onto the
field. Nevermind the fact that his frazzled father kept telling
him "no". He wanted no part of "no" and, after all, knew more
than his dad. So he ignored him and, sure enough, received a
good scolding from an usher.
This alone could have been a spiritual lesson. How many times do
we, God's children, go about our merry little way ignoring Him
and His commands, only to hit a wall of disappointment the way
#4 hit the irritable side of an usher? Then, I wonder, do we
Is The EU Ready?'Bible Prophecy'Eschatology' Most of you are familiar with the Second Coming of Christ. In Paul's letters to the churches in ..... wear the same "How could that have happened to me? I didn't see
that coming!" type of expression the kid wore? No, I don't
really wonder - I know we do!
What stood out to me about that evening, and what I think about
(often) is this: No matter what the mom or dad did for him, it
was never enough. Bringing him to the ballgame when they
probably could have been working in the yard or sitting on the
couch, wasn't good enough. He complained because the temperature
was too hot and (egads!) he had to sit in a seat. Buying him a
ball from the gift shop wasn't enough because they couldn't make
so-and-so sign it (regardless of the fact that Mr. so-and-so was
in the middle of a game!). The popcorn, the hot dog, the soda
and the snowcone - none of them were enough. He still complained
about everything he could think of.
He didn't see what he had. He only saw what he didn't have.
One day, the young boy will be a young man and will probably
think back to that night. I wonder if he'll remember how
miserable he made his parents and those around him. I wonder if
he'll ask himself, "Man, what was I thinking, I had it all. Dad
tried so hard to give me everything, mom was so proud of me in
my little hat and jersey. I never even thanked them for what
they gave me. I just whined about what they didn't give me." I
hope he realizes it sooner rather than later, and hope he takes
his parents to a ballgame, and buys them all sorts of goodies!
AND, I hope they sit close to me, because I'd like to thank him
for the greatest sermon I never heard.
I didn't need a preacher or teacher to say, "Do you hear that?
Do you see how wrong this adorable little boy is? Will this make
a difference in your life?" The answers were yes, yes, and YES!
I'm as far from perfect as the Brewers are from the World
Series, but I did learn a lesson that night.
He didn't see what he had. He only saw what he didn't have.
About the author:
Joi Sigers is a Christian, a baseball fan, and an internet
marketer. Visit one of her websites at http://www.dreamprophesy.com.
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