Rounding Third

The painfully uneven sunburn on my left arm is my parting gift for having attended my youngest nephew's end-of-the-year tee ball tournament. There are few things quite as adorable or as frustrating as watching tee ball. The field looks like ants at a picnic and parents are losing their voices while big hearts in tiny uniforms run the wrong direction. Such a cute sight, although, I'm not quite sure that it is baseball.

During the final game of the day the opposing team sent "Babe Ruth" to the plate as the tenth batter. He was small compared to the other kids with the biggest dark eyes and sweet round face. The bat seemed as big as he was and the weight of his helmet made his head wobble. He hit the ball off of the tee and took off running. My nephew's team quickly made an out on the field and the inning was over, but the other coaches let the little boy run the bases anyway. He proudly jogged around each base as if holding the Olympic torch - that is until he rounded third. Straddling the third base line a few feet from home plate with the ball in hand was my nephew Logan, the pitcher. As the runner came near, Logan reached out and tagged him in the chest. The little boy stopped and stood there a moment looking completely stunned and broken-hearted. An "awww" fell across the crowd of fans.

I could not help but think that the world treats us the same way lulling us into thinking that we are successfully rounding life's bases as a champion when the reality of truth is waiting for us at home plate. Regardless of how we may rationalize our choices and justify our sins the one true Judge will hold us accountable. The world's shiny toys and bendable righteousness are a fool's gold - exciting for a moment, but worthless. We must be be carful to walk according to the Word of God in order to have life because the enemy comes to destroy. (John 10:10)

"My son, observe the commandment of your father And do not forsake the teaching of your mother; bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life." Proverbs 6:20-23