Hope from Right Field

Last night, my child taught me a life lesson from the outfield.
During these seasons of sports, as a doting parent it is so easy to get caught up in the "fair" game, whether it be a bad call by a ref or a lesser assigned position for my son. And the latter, has been the toughest for me.
Often I think, if the coaches would just give him more pitching time, they'd see how good he is....but instead, my son is center field, third base, and the dreaded...right field. Sure, he's been on the mound a couple of times this season, but not nearly as much as some players.

Silliness, right?

But I know the heart of the tween, and how his ambition is knocked off kilter by the fairness game too. I can just see it in his eyes "It's not fair" when he's standing in the dugout as DH while the rest of his team plays.
So, last night...my son was in right field. I was trying to not play the fairness game in my head.  I was cheering on the other kids, the other pitcher, the in-fielders.

And what happened?

The last out was needed to clench the win, and the batter knocked the ball down the first base line straight into right field. If my son missed catching the ball, it would have nearly tied the game. But he stopped the ball, tossed it to first, and they won!
Later, he comes up to me and said, "Mom, before that play, I was thinking, wouldn't it be cool if I caught the ball and got someone out?"
And he did!
As I process all this, I realize something grander than the catch, the win, and the smiling boy on the ride home.
 I realize, that although my son wasn't in the "best" position, he wasn't sitting their grumbling during the game.
 He was hoping.
He wasn't counting the minutes to the end of the game because he was in a position he didn't care for. He was hoping that right then and there, in right field, he would contribute to the team with an awesome play.
He was making lemonade out of lemons, I guess.

How many times do I find myself in an undesirable situation, or a lesser place than I'd hope to be (ahem...unpublished?), and sit there grumbling and wanting to push time forward? How about when my kids are in a season of misbehavior? Do I grumble about it and strive to survive, or do I take the lemons, add a little sugary love, and make delicious lemonade by using the misbehavior to teach life lessons with patience and love?

Can't wait for my son to get home from school today, so I can share with him all he taught me!

 How 'bout you? Have your kids taught you something lately?

To Dance for HIM!

"Then David danced before the LORD with all his might...Now as the ark of the LORD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart." 2Samuel 6:14-16

Praise music fills my car most days. Sometimes, I want to cry as my heart is stirred. Other times, I want to switch the station thinking, "I'm just not there." But today, I wanted to dance! I just saw God's victory in my life during this season, and my spirit wanted to m-o-v-e my limbs!

I have a friend in my Bible study who feels stifled by other believers to really praise God unashamedly, with great joy in movement. I have felt it before, but I always subdue my outpour to worship because I certainly don't want to cause a scene!

Yet...we were made to worship Him! And King David, the man after God's own heart, worshiped God in the way many of us believe we'll have a chance to do in Heaven...yet, David did it right here on earth for all to see!

God created us this way! We've let the world claim that dance is a humanistic thing, sometimes a sensuous thing, sometimes a frivolous thing. But have we ever considered it a beautiful form of worship when our spirit is completely overcome by His wonder?
 As I mature in my walk, I look at those around me who have a bit more courage to express their praises physically with a lot less scrutiny. I must admit, I used to be a Michal. I used to look down my nose at those in front of me at church who feel the need to raise their hands, sway to the music, or clap. Geez, people! This is church! And God probably says, "EXACTLY, Angie, this is church! Let the Spirit move you to worship ME COMPLETELY!" I don't want to be a Michal. I want a bit of that my God-is-so-much-more-important-than-what-you-think-of-me kinda praise!

Now I am not saying I am going to start jumping around now. I don't know if I could really do that without worrying about how I look, without caring about distracting others...I am too in touch with my flesh to give way completely to my Spirit. Sad, I know.

But....one day....I will! Beyond those pearly gates...or perhaps through them!

Do I HAVE to Entertain 'Em?

Today, I sat down with my VERY resistant son and read him a story. He didn't want to at first...nor probably during the whole story...but I forced myself to stick with it. It was between the story or his little brain frying in front of a computer screen. Screen time is a constant struggle with my boys!

His attitude today, reminded me of me. I'm ashamed to admit how many times I grumble about stopping what I WANT to do, to do what I know I should do---and a lot of the should-do's are what I used to love to do when I was a new mom--

read stories

play with play-dough

crafts

play legos

But life gets full and these things become a chore...sad to say. :( For about ten years, it's been a constant guilt trip o' mine...the having to entertain the kids versus loving to entertain the kids. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE spending time with them, and for the most part, once I get past the resistance of my busy-bee-don't-interrupt me attitude, and sit down and spend time on THEIR level, I always look back and realize it was a good thing—the wise choice.

As the boys get older, they have more ability to entertain themselves...and I have more opportunities to pass up life with them for my own entertainment. Today, my grumpy boy having to submit and listen to a story, reminded me that making memories is far more important than my own agenda—no matter if I don't always wanna!

With Spring Comes WEEDS!

We've had a lot of little weeds to pluck lately. Nothing major, but they could snowball if we're not careful...and I am SOOOO done with snow! ;)

Weed 1: My son tries his hardest to avoid situations that use his last name. He's been teased before, and now, he figures he can avoid it in the future. I point him to his father--who, by the way, is deserving of Father of the Year most every year of his fatherhood--and remind him that Daddy's got the same last name and look how great he is!

Weed 2: My youngest son referred to our neighbor as "old man", and got the neighbor all fired up! UGH! As much as my boys hear "respect" preached...WHERE did that come from?? So now, they are all scared of the neighbor, and think he's ruined their lives...yes, all the boys got a talking to by said neighbor. Lots of correction, forgiveness, and now, comforting.

**I must say that my middle son showed much bravery by going over to the neighbor and apologizing FOR his little brother. Too bad the neighbor hadn't cooled off yet, and told him to stay on his property! Who's the child now?

Weed 3: My oldest flat out admits he is addicted to baseball. His team won the silver bracket champs for a tournament they were in, and now he's obsessed. While this is a good thing in regard to pouring himself into something constructive, there is a fine line he needs to know about--especially when he wishes school would just end so he can go outside and play ball...I'll chalk it up to a little dose of Spring Fever for now, but we've got to remind him that God has him right where He wants him in every moment of his life--not just on the pitcher's mound!

Weed 4: ME! I am trying to take my own advice on a couple of these points. It's easier "said" than "done", but I'll do my best to try! AND, I have committed to riding in a 450 mile bike ride this summer, and while I was pumped when I agreed, I have NO desire now! Talk about a difficult weed to pluck! Gotta get the motivation!

So, bring on SPRING! Let the newness of a life-filled season overcome the weeds that have cropped up over a long dreary winter!

Do you have any weeds of your own to tackle? Is the sunshine inspiration or temptation to be lazy in this season?

Craziness

So, I realize I haven't posted in over a week! It's been a crazy time of vacation, birthdays, and of course, Easter! I'll be back soon, but for now, I'm taking a break. Hope you had a wonderful Easter!

Christ is Risen!