Solving Disputes - Who is In Control?

Currently in Norwalk there is a bit of a battle brewing that I’d like to discuss some today. Although I don’t know all of the circumstances on how everything came about, I can tell you some of the facts of the debate:

Fact 1: The VFW owns a bunch of land.

Fact 2: That land has been used by Lefty Grove Baseball for years.

Fact 3: A piece of that land has been offered to Norwalk Jr. Truckers Football.

Fact 4: Norwalk Jr. Truckers Football is a quality organization that has been helping youth for years.

Fact 5: Lefty Grove baseball is a quality organization that has been helping youth for years.

Now those are the facts as I know them. I haven’t had many dealings with the VFW here in Norwalk personally so I don’t have expertise on how it is run, its leadership, etc. However, I like to assume that it’s a quality organization as well.

The problem is that there is a dispute going on that is going to cause damage to all three organizations. My personal problem is that I can see all three sides of the argument. I can see why the VFW should be able to repurpose their land as they see fit. I see why Lefty Grove wouldn’t want to lose the space. I also see why Norwalk Jr. Truckers would want the space.

Now I’m not going to spend my time here today discussing what I think should be done, as frankly that doesn’t matter at all. Sure I have an opinion, and I’m on the fence right now as I support all of the sides of the argument one way or another. Instead, today I’d like to focus on one thing: God has already decided how this will work out and for the glory of His kingdom this will all get worked out in the long run.

Saying that doesn’t easily make the sides of the argument agree. Saying that doesn’t make it easy for anyone either. Yet, it’s not the saying it that helps at all. It’s believing those words that allows us all to start to find an answer to situations like these. When we believe that we’re not in control and that He is in control instead allows us to keep a level head in these types of debates. That allows situations like this to not boil over and spill into other areas that have collateral damage. This knowledge will allow all three organizations to reach a compromise that not only helps all involved, but continues to advance His kingdom. It will allow the children of Norwalk to be served by these quality organizations today and for years to come.

It’s my sincere hope that those involved in this will work daily to glorify Christ in all the decisions they make. I know as a parent I’m extremely thankful for all that each of these organizations have done for our youth, and I look forward to years of their continued service to the community. It’s my sincere belief that this will be solved without anyone getting a black eye and that the Glory of God will be evident in the resolution.

Not Exactly The Plan

So I help out with one of my son’s baseball teams. I enjoy helping teach the kids the basics of the game and watching them develop throughout the season.

The other day we had practice on a cool, windy, and (go figure) rainy evening. We had plans on what to do with the kids but the outfield grass wasn’t in the best shape. So, now we have 10 kids and we’re trying to figure out how to keep all of their interest in a smaller amount of space. All of a sudden it hit me. We could split them up into two teams and play 5 on 5. This would give all the kids an opportunity to play in a game situation while only using the infield.

After splitting up the teams quickly we got to work with the kids. Now this is practice number 7 or 8 with this team and we’d done bits and pieces, but many hadn’t seen how it could all work together yet, as they all come from different playing abilities, backgrounds, etc. Well, it turned out to be the exact thing that all of these kids needed. They all really got involved with the practice. All of a sudden it wasn’t just doing drills, but instead it was game time. All of the kids had their chance to hit and field and all did really well. Sure there were teaching points that needed to be hit upon, but the overall response was incredibly positive.

The reason I bring this up is because there will be times in your life when things just don’t go according to plan. You’ll want to spend time doing a Bible study or at an event that you can’t attend. You’ll instead be interrupted, and that thing will eat up all the time you had originally set aside to do what you had planned.

I want you to know that God knows what your intentions were and He will definitely honor those intentions. It’s possible that He’ll find you in a different way that day that may be even more powerful than what you’d had planned. That distraction could lead to an encounter with a person who doesn’t know Him, and you could help them start their journey to a relationship with Him. Maybe it’s a child that needs your attention and that time spent with your child will be a chance for both of you to be closer to God, or a way that He’ll show you His grace in another way.

Whatever the reason that the plan didn’t go as planned, do not fret. It’s very possible that God had other plans for you at that time. Just like at our practice the other day, sometimes even though a plan changes, it doesn’t mean that something even greater won’t come out of it.

Play Ball

So baseball season is now in full swing. It’s my favorite season as it means warmer weather is coming. It means time at the ballpark with my family is coming. It also means that I get to spend time with the other guys on the church softball team, which I really enjoy.

What during the year gives you that same feeling in a spiritual way? When do you get a feeling of renewal like the start of baseball season does for me? What gets you excited to get going and get renewed?

If you don’t have something like this in your life, I pray that you find something soon. Maybe a men’s or women’s retreat, a Bible study, or something else can do that for you. The reason I think it’s important is to keep things from becoming stale. Sometimes you need to hear the words "Play Ball!!!" in your life for renewal.