Baseball and Jesus

Baseball season is officially over for us now. My withdrawals begin today. Stephen's season ended a few weeks back in the Big South Tournament and since he's a senior he begins this season of life away from a game he's played since he was 5. John's season ended last night in the juco World Series in Grand Junction Colorado. They finished 3rd in the nation, not bad. We put him on the team bus today to head to Denver and we headed to the pool (we don't fly out til tomorrow). 

As I sat by the pool my mind went crazy. The pool was full of little boys I'd say ranging in age from probably 7 to maybe 10 or 11. They were playing baseball with the spongey balls, hitting them then swimming to bases. My boys played that game 1000 times over the years. When mine were that age I used to wonder all kinds of things. I used to wonder things like, how long will they want to play this game? How good will they be? What position will they like? 

Well they've played a long time, their mom thinks they're pretty good and they both love to pitch and John loves 1st n hitting too. Stephen even mentioned the other day that it will be the first time he will set his own schedule, no coach telling him when to be where and what to do during workouts. It's gonna be an adjustment. Baseball has definitely set the schedule and the pace for many years for them. 

They're both very fortunate to still love the game and get to play that game through college. We always preached to not take it for granted, to enjoy it and play it like it's your last game because you never know, respect the game. We talked lots about how it's a privilege and to appreciate the opportunity. 

I could write a book on lessons we've all learned through this game. God wastes nothing and I'm so thankful that He's used it to teach life lessons to my boys since so much of their time has been spent on the field. He's taught them that failure isn't permanent. You can learn as much from failure as moments of victory even if it's not fun. He's taught them to set goals and work toward them. They know what it means to work with a team and how to encourage others and pick others up. They know you can do more as a team than as an individual. Individual stats don't win championships. Being a team accomplishes the dream!! 

God has brought so many people into all of our lives thanks to this game. People who have made their mark and made huge deposits that will last a lifetime. Life is about investing in others. They know the world doesn't revolve around them and it won't stop rotating because they get hurt, go in a slump, take a loss, get a win, or become MVP. Our culture is so obsessed with sports they've had opportunities to show that it's not their god no matter how much they love it. It's a much bigger world than that but it does serve as a platform, not to promote self but to show what truly matters. 

We are so thankful that they've played for a Hall of Fame coach who professes Christ, who shoots straight with them, who gave them an opportunity to play, and recognized their character and applauded it. They've also seen the ugly side of recruiting where lies are told, promises are made with no intent of follow through, and the good guys don't always play. They've won a lot of games. They went to the pinnacle of high school ball by playing in the state championship and they won a lot in junior college and got to go to the juco World Series. They've played alongside some amazing talent and played with lifelong and what will be lifelong friends. They've learned great lessons from coaches who were great leaders and they've learned from bad leadership and what not to do. God has woven amazing gospel lessons through the game of baseball about how to treat others, honor and respect, forgiveness and the importance of God 1st, then family and friends, and then self. They've seen the importance of giving people another chance and believing in them. I wouldn't take anything for the hours spent sitting by the field and all God has shown us about ourselves even if it's not pretty stuff. He's shown me how overly competitive I am, how unforgiving I can be, how quickly my mama claws can come out, and how when it's over it really is over so just move on. 

So many people may not get it.Unless you've lived it I would never expect you to. But it's a wonderful life for us and we've seen God do some amazing things through it. He's answered prayers and He's shown my boys He's in control and places them where He chooses and it's always for their good. He has a plan and He is the one who brings it to pass even in baseball. 

I kinda sorta believe that if Jesus was walking the earth in the flesh now, we could probably find Him hanging around the diamond. After all, that's where a lot of people spend their time. And I think He'd be cheering and yelling for everyone to work hard, give their best, back up their teammates and keep their head up! He may even yell at em to "learn something"!! 😄

Stephen Leopard, a college grad

Seems totally unbelievable but Stephen has graduated college. And in 4 years!!! It's not unbelievable that you graduated because you're one of the hardest workers I've ever known. Whatever you set your mind to, you get it done. But how is it possibly time for this?! It's as if I blinked and you're grown. 

You've made us so proud in every way. For someone who never liked school and the motivation of college was always just to be able to play baseball there, you have finished well, extremely well!! You've taken full advantage of all that God placed in front of you. You studied hard and finished with a great gpa on the presidential honor roll. You made some incredible contacts from your junior college coach to Deans to Vice Presidents all the way to the college President himself. You've made lifelong friends with hearts for Jesus and ministry. You've impacted lives of those still searching. You've served students well and learned much from the college pastor. You've had fun with teammates and enjoyed and learned to appreciate All the different personalities. You've learned much in the classroom and you've learned much about team work on the field. You've learned from experiencing many victories and then the losses. You've enjoyed playing at the top of a junior college level at the World Series. From high school on you had so many baseball wins and developed that love for a winning mindset and being a part of a winning

culture that many don't get to experience. It's given you that spirit of team and competitiveness you will need in the next season of life. And experiencing the losses will prepare you for the losses we go through as well. They're no fun now, they won't be fun later, but we all have them. You've learned so much from watching strong leaders with winning attitudes just as you've learned from those who show forth poor and weak leadership. God wastes nothing!!! He uses it all to make us more like Him and give us that desire to be more like Him. Remember, just one tip, good leaders return calls within 24 hours! And when you question why God is telling you to do something a certain way, remember 2Kings 5 and just do what He says. 😊 

God promises in Ps 14 that those things He has purposed will stand and He has great purpose for your life as He's already proven. And He promises that our heritage is that He will refute every tongue and every weapon forged against us. Rest in that. Go and live believing that the Lord's favor is on you! He delights in you! Continue to live for Him and out of His mighty power. Armor up and never turn back!! We love you!! Exciting things are ahead, it only gets better!!!  From here...

To here...

Baseball pics to come, that season coming to a close but not done yet!

Monday Morning Perspective

Yes I know it's Tuesday but when you're on a baseball roadtrip your schedule becomes whatever their schedule is and it's been busy but lots of fun. Fun since we started winning that is. I did sit down to write this yesterday though and talking to others kind of took over and if you know me you know that is truth. 

Fairview worship was amazing Sunday. Always such a great spirit and love how many visitors keep showing up and how the Fairview fam continues to welcome them. We were challenged in the message from our series from Nehemiah how important peace and unity are in the body. I love how Eddie pointed out that Nehemiah stepped back and pondered the  problem instead of reacting quickly in anger. I also love how Eddie challenged us to be unified even when we don't agree. We all carry that bucket of water and that bucket of gasoline in cur hands. Which one will we throw out there when we hear grumbling and complaining and rumors?

I love this series more every week. It's challenging, encouraging, and definitely relates to today. 

We have much to be excited about at Fairview. God is doing amazing things and it's so exciting to hear others speak of being able to see how God is bringing so much together. His plan is always better than our plan!!!