“Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul” (Prov. 29:17 NASB).
Baseball is in my blood. My grandfather played. My dad and uncle won a silver medal at the nationals for Nova Scotia when I was in grade three. My dad is the second-best catcher I have ever seen play. (Sorry, Dad . . . gotta put Johnny Bench ahead of you.) I played so many sports growing up that I decided I would not push any on my son, Christian. Intentionally, I did not sign him up to play, but ever since he could walk (maybe before), I would play ball with him. Catch and throw (roll); toss the plastic ball at the plastic bat. As he got older, I would take him to the ballpark, just the two of us to practice catching, throwing, pitching, and hitting. Sometimes it would be the family, as my daughter got older. When Christian was ten, he asked me if he could play “real” baseball. I was delighted, as was my dad. My dad took him glove shopping, and I signed him up. (I also signed up as a coach.)
Fast-forward to his first baseball game: What a joy, what fun! (I coached these core kids for five years). This signed baseball comes from that first game and may be my most precious possession. Afterwards, I asked Christian to sign it for me – and he did. I have the signature on a game-used ball from my favourite baseball player, from his first-ever baseball game. It sits on my shelf and brings me even more joy than my Blue Jays signed ball (See yesterday’s post to read about that one). I also have Christian’s rookie card. :)
One ball, more valuable to the world, the other, more valuable to me. As I sit in my study and survey all the things on my shelves, it's clear we are extremely blessed. I have stuff – lots of it – and every single piece is expendable. What is not expendable are my son, my daughter, my wife, my friends. People in my life, I don’t have “lots of.” I spend a lot of time in my study with my stuff, most days oblivious to being surrounded by it. But when I’m with people, I’m always aware. Our family is “forced” to be together during this crisis, and we are the better for it. We get along; we always have. Every mealtime, I thank God that we can have meals with the entire family.
Take a look around at your stuff and realize how blessed you are, but families, take a closer look at that person sitting at your dinner table. Where your heart is your treasure will also be. The people, or person, sitting at that table are your greatest blessings. They will not always be there. Take an extra moment with them.
Important NOTE: Some people already realize the blessings they have as they sit at each meal, even dining alone. Do you know someone who is eating alone? YES, you do. Call them. Video chat with them. Have dinner with them – over the phone – and be a blessing to each other.
“And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your households, in all that you undertake, in which the Lord your God has blessed you” (Deut. 12:7 ESV).