Robert Benson, spiritual guide, author, and personal friend wrote a book aout baseball… “The Game: One Man, Nine Innings, A Love Affair With Baseball.” He loves the game, knows the game, and frequents the game as often as he can. Little league or major league, baseball is a teacher of truth. As an example: Life is often not fair. We can be out before we have a chance to run the bases. Being part of a team takes work and trust. Being part of the game is blessing, even if we are not star players. For some score is everything… for others of us, the smells of leather gloves and mown grass, the sight of flags waving in the breeze and children with sticky cotton candy fingers, the taste of mustard on pretzels and onions on hot dogs, the sounds of bats cracking and people cheering … all bring joy and a reminder of God’s goodness in all things great and small.
This week my family heads for Chicago and a weekend of baseball with the White Sox, whom we hope will all be able to stay in the whole game.. and the Cubbies playing the Cardinals. For my family who also love and appreciate the game this will be a great time of fellowship and fun. So we give thanks for happy hearts as we participate, spectate, and saturate ourelves in the Old Ballgame. In a world where life is increasingly complicated, the ballgame reminds us that we are a people blessed with much goodness in which to dwell, much goodness that we are called to share with a hurting world. May you find in this day a place of joy and goodness and fun. Take in all the ordinary sights and smells and give thanks for a Creator God who loves us enough to invite us into the Game. Blessings all! Pastor Lib
