Lesson from Sports

As you’ve read on here from time to time, I like to play sports.  I enjoy the competition, the fellowship with the other people playing, and the exercise I get from playing.  Well, one thing that I’ve relearned lately comes from my exploits in softball.

Due to the constant rain all summer and fall, the softball seasons this year were a complete mess.  Makeups of makeups of makeups were scheduled.  We’d get to play every 2-3 weeks in both seasons.  There really was no way of getting any consistent at bats all season, and so you couldn’t get a rhythm in fielding or batting. 

I really started to feel that lack of rhythm in the fall.  My batting wasn’t too bad (actually better than the summer), but my fielding was very hit and miss.  So we finally get the last two games of the season in on a Monday night.  It’s pretty cold (I’ve never played softball in November before) and it was hard to keep my hands warm.  I have two balls hit to me at second base from back to back batters from the opposing team.  One hits my glove hard and my hand went numb instantly.  So, I missed that out.  Then the next one gets hit to me and because I still had numbness in my hand I couldn’t field that cleanly either and they get another runner on base.  So, what does the next batter do, he tries to hit it to me as well, as he figures that they’ve found a weak spot.  Well, all of a sudden I find my inner Roberto Alomar and make a very difficult play that ends the inning.  Then the next two times the ball comes my way I easily make outs that I’d been missing before.

So, the next game comes, and a ball is hit to my right and I dive to get it, but I don’t come up with it cleanly. I quickly get it and throw the ball to the shortstop covering second base to try and force out the runner coming from first base.  Of course, I didn’t make the play in time and he’s safe, and they end up getting a few runs out of it.  Then an inning later a ball is hit to me just out of my reach.  But, at the end of the game I make the final out on a ball that if I don’t get it not only gives up the hit, but would cost us the game.  Instead we preserve the one-run lead, and finish the season at 9-3.

What did I learn from this?  Well, first off I’m not perfect.  It’s very humbling to have a ball come to you that you know you should make the play on, only to goof it up.  God seems to really enjoy reminding me of this lesson.  Secondly, I learned that although I may not be perfect and have messed up before, there is always a chance at redemption.  I messed up numerous times in those games or just didn’t make the play that was needed.  Yet, in the long run everything worked out for the best, according to His plan. 

These lessons are the same in the rest of my life.  I’m not perfect and everything isn’t always going to work out perfectly.  Instead, at times there will be rocks in the road, but eventually we’ll hit some smooth sailing again.

Protection From The Big, Bad Wolf

Everyone remembers the story about the three little pigs, right?  They each build a house with a different type of material and in the end only one is protected from the big bad wolf.

Have you ever applied this thinking to your spiritual life?  You can build yourself a spiritual life that is pretty shoddy and the big bad wolf known as the devil will easily be able to take it down.  If you build one that is only partially stable, then it may take a little longer, but the big bad wolf will still find a way in. 

What if you were to build that spiritual life out of the best materials you can?  Do you think that it could withstand the hardest and longest huffs and puffs from the wolf?  Do you think that any weak spots could easily be built back up and only make it stronger and stronger?

The next time you are under attack spiritually from the big bad wolf, I want you to think about the structure that your spiritual life is made from.  If it looks like it may be weak, it just may be time to rebuild that structure, only this time stronger than ever.  Having a prayer partner, joining a small group, reading His word, and individual prayer are all examples of ways to rebuild that structure and gain the protection you seek.  Yes it’s not always easy to fit that into a schedule, but it is better than letting the big bad wolf knock your house down, isn’t it?

Unread

Recently I was going through the stats from this blog that I started back in 2009.  I like to review the posts to make sure that I haven’t written about the same topic too often.  When I was looking through those stats I found something that was rather humbling.  There have been multiple posts that I’ve written that haven’t been read…by anyone.  Does that mean that the topic on which they were written wasn’t worthy of people’s attention?  Does it mean that I should have given up a long time ago?

As I began to reflect on this fact I came upon a realization:  That it’s very possible that those posts will never be read by anyone…ever.  When I came to grips with that fact I made a decision:  that I’m ok with that fact.  You see I write this blog every week for a couple reasons.  I hope to help others that want/need a stronger relationship with Jesus.  I also hope to use these writings to help me to develop my own relationship with Jesus.  Lastly, I write the blog because I enjoy writing and I enjoy this outlet – even when it is burdensome as it’s just another thing I have to get done in a week.

So, I will continue to write this blog for the near future.  I’ll write it if it is read by others or not.  I’ve felt since I began this blog that God had a purpose for me doing this blog, and who am I to question what He has in store for me?  So, in this new year I’ll continue to write on a variety of things that God brings to my attention in my walk with Him.  Whether you read it or not (and I hope you do) isn’t going to be my concern.  Instead I’ll continue to wrestle with what He has put before me, and if you want to come along for the ride you are more than welcome.

Happy New Year!

Time To Relax

That is right, this week I’m going to relax.  In fact, I’m so determined to do so  that I’ve taken the week off from work to spend more time with the family.  Now, that isn’t to say that I’m not going to be doing any work during this week around the house.  But, what I’m trying to say is that I’m not going to be at work, and my focus isn’t going to be doing stuff – but instead it's going to be hanging out with the kids and doing things with them. 

Why am I doing this?  Because frankly,  we all need a break.  We all need time to let ourselves take a break from day-to-day grind and recharge our batteries.  Last year I took the week off between Christmas and New Years as well and I found it really helped me start the new year out right.  So, why not do it again.

So today’s lesson is that we all need to go ahead and take a break from time to time. If we truly want to be on the top of our game, then a break from time to time is required.  And so, if you aren’t taking a break this week, I suggest maybe you think about doing so soon.  Recharge those batteries, you’ll be stronger in the long run.

It’s Almost Time For A Party

That is right, we’re less than a week away from the holiday that celebrates Jesus’ birth!  How exciting is this day?!

That’s right, it’s not about the presents we get, the lights we put up, Santa, Rudolph, or even spending time with our families.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I love all of those things.  But, the most important thing – the thing we should be focused on…is the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He was sent to the earth to not only to show you how to have a relationship with God the Father, but to die to make sure we should get to Heaven!  How selfless is that?

So, this week I just want to make sure we retain our focus this holiday season.  It’s almost Christmas time.  Let’s celebrate the Baby Boy who came here to save us all!

Merry Christmas!

Lights!

Years ago when my kids were first old enough to do it, our family started playing a game we call lights.  What it requires is family members to be in the car, and for Christmas lights to be on at people’s houses as we pass by.  The first person to spot the lights and declare that they’ve seen them gets a point.  Now, frankly we don’t keep score, instead it’s just something fun to do.  It’s something we do as a family, and other than the gas – it costs us nothing.  The thing is, we don’t go out just to play, we play everywhere and anywhere we go when the lights are up this time of year.

Why do I mention this?  It’s because one of my focuses in this blog is helping people with their family lives.  This is something you can do as a family that is cheap and just adds to something you’d already be doing.  The goal should be to keep growing together as a family.

Oh, and I forgot to mention this earlier….once you do this a few times, you don’t need to remember to do it.  The kids will remember.  In fact, not only will they remember the next car ride, but they’ll also remember the next year when the lights come on again.  Kids love this kind of thing, and the fact that you do it together will build a lasting memory that they’ll enjoy for the rest of their lives.  It may even create a family tradition, as it has in my family. 

So what are you waiting for?  It’s time to play LIGHTS!

Giving Like No One Else

I’m pretty sure that every time I write about money on here I mention the name Dave Ramsey.  He’s a financial counselor whom I listen to almost daily on his nationally syndicated radio program and whose teachings I subscribe to in my financial life.  The title of today’s Momentum comes from a promotion that Dave is running on his web site:  www.daveramsey.com. 

Dave and his team are giving away all kinds of different items to people who enter each and every day of the promotion.  This promotion is something that I enter every day, even though I’ve never won anything from all of my entries. 

I mention this promotion for two reasons.  #1 is that I want to share the opportunity with all of you, even if it hurts my chances.  The more of you that enter, the harder it is for me to win, right?  Still, I try to be selfless, lol.  #2 is that I want to be giving like this someday.  Now I don’t think that I’ll ever have my own program and be giving out all of this stuff, but it’s the idea that I really like.  I would love to someday have the ability to bless others with things that they want or need.  I long for the day when I can give the waitress/waiter a $100 bill as a tip just because they provided good service at the restaurant.  Or to see someone who has a need and make a payment for them, etc.

My question today is, shouldn't these be the goals of all of us?  Shouldn’t we all want to get out of debt and then be able to bless others who are less fortunate than we?  Wouldn’t it be cool if all we asked in return from those whom we bless is that they someday pay it forward (great movie btw) and bless someone else when they are in the position to do so as well?  What kind of world would we live in if God's people were all blessing each other, and all working our way out of the bondage known as debt?

As this holiday season kicks into full gear I’d like to encourage all of you to give if you can this holiday season.  There are numerous people who need coats, food, and shelter in your area.  Find ways to donate items, food, or money to organizations like a food bank or Salvation Army that help those who are less fortunate.  It’s time that we all grasp the holiday spirit with both hands and open our hearts to those in need, just like Dave is doing – to bless one another.