Doing It Your Way

Baseball season in the community has begun, and we have two grandsons playing in the T-ball league this year.  We attended “Opening Day” on a recent Saturday; it was a bit chilly, but that didn’t seem to  keep these young athletes from the excitement of the activities.  

We stood and watched the short parade these baseball players led onto the field.  Each team was introduced and given a round of applause by their families. A group picture was taken, and then each of the teams headed for their assigned playing field.  

Our grandsons play on the same team, and they had the first scheduled game that day.  Now here is where the real fun begins!  

They had a few practices before this first game so they have a “general” knowledge of what they are to do.  T-ball is played by allowing each batter three chances to swing as a pitching machine spits out the balls.  After this, if no contact has been made, they bring out a t-ball stand, and the batter can hit the ball off this stand. A few of the “seasoned” players hit off the machine, but the majority need that t-ball stand.  Each player is different in how they stand, swing at the ball and then run for the base.  There is always much encouragement from the coaches, families and friends who are watching.  

I have to say it is some of the best entertainment you can have.  

Not many of the players take this sport too seriously yet, and that innocence is what makes these games so fun to watch. Sometimes they surprise themselves when they hit the ball and then have to think what to do next!  They forget what base to run to at times, or to move to the next base when the next hit is made.  And the team fielding will provide you with a number of antics to watch:   

Chasing the hit ball, then totally missing it as it passes by; piling on top of one another to retrieve the ball; playing in the dirt; wearing the glove on their head; and, of course, the little girls who practice their dance steps.  

It is quite an amusing sight!  But what strikes me at each game is that they are all doing what they can their own ways.

We also seem to do things our own way in our relationship with God.  We turn to God in challenging times when we are confused or hurting.  We know the rules; we have been through the same situation many times before; but sometimes we just get distracted.  

Just as these young ball players look to their coaches in times of confusion, we can always turn to God for the “coaching” we may need.  We will be loved by God and others in our lives, even when we don’t always make that perfect hit or forget what direction we are headed to in the game of life. We can keep a positive attitude and rely on what God has taught us through his love.   

We may be doing it our own way; but if we are following the “coaching”  God has provided us with, we will be able to find our way around the bases and eventually hit home plate, where we will be safe and quite a hit with our God; I am sure!

I look forward to the rest of this season as we watch these young ball players grow, mature and find confidence in what they are doing in their own way.  And I will remind myself that with hard work, focusing on being the best I can in my own way, I can be a part of the best team ever – God’s team.