In honor of the high school baseball practice season beginning this week, here’s another reflection on years past.
Finding a baseball in several inches of snow isn’t easy, but you’re pretty motivated when you have to pay $5 for each one you lose. I’ll never forget that day in 1993. Eight inches of snow. White baseballs. Batting practice. Coach Miller collecting money for each one lost. Never was a group of guys more diligent (and flustered) in looking for something than on that day. But, as frustrating and crazy as it was, Coach taught us a lesson that day. There are times when circumstances are unfair and the deck is stacked against you, but you can’t let it stop you. Life requires that you press on, that you do what you’ve been called to do, no matter how difficult. Being faithful in marriage, being a good parent, excelling at work, or whatever you try to tackle–these things are not easy. They’re sort of like looking for white baseballs in eight inches of snow, knowing you’ll pay for it if you don’t do it right. But, it’s all worth it.
There’s another twist to this, as well. Luke 15 presents three stories of things lost and eventually found. The owner of a lost sheep anxiously and diligently searches for it (despite having 99 others with him). A woman who loses a coin scours her house until it is found. The father of the “Prodigal Son” waits daily for the son’s return. Each story ends with the same result: a party. The sheep owner, coin owner, and father of the prodigal each celebrate the finding or return of what was lost. The point? Luke 15:7–“I tel you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance.” Just as we searched for those baseballs in the snow and celebrated when we found one (saving us $5!), all of heaven celebrates when someone comes to Jesus in faith for salvation and forgiveness.
The lessons? Press on, even when life is like looking for white baseballs in eight inches of snow. Diligently seek out those who need Jesus. And, for many, it’s time to turn from sin and turn toward Jesus, submitting to Him all you are and have (give heaven another reason to celebrate today).
Brad
I want you to know my day was made when Ashley forwarded me the website. The world is a better place with you following your calling in life. You have brought back many memories that we shared over the years and struck a cord as they resonate more with me at 37 than they did back in 1993. I read a lot on leadership for may job but I recently read a book titled “The Book On Leadership” by John MacArthur speaking about many of the leadership principles we have in life/business were not created by great business minds but by God. This book focuses on Paul’s leadership and provided me a great perspective. It provides clarity that as much as it may be denied in todays world, true leadership and lessoned learned were not published by a leading authority in a business area, but by the greatest Author of all and in the greatest book of all…the Bible. We need not spend as much money seeking leadership skills or life lessons at the book store and spend more time studying God and Christ for our lessons in His Book. What is being written and read may be stated in modern manner with a fun twist in a fancy book from the latest business crazed author but the roots are seeded in lessons from God that have been with us for thousands of years. I find similarity in your lessons. We learned many things at a young age through baseball and continue to do so but never forget these lessons are not new…they are right in front of us in our faith. Keep up the great work and thanks for sharing! # 12