"Big Hits"

 “Whatever you do, work all your heart, as if working for the Lord." ~ Colossians 3:23

As Melina took her warmup shots, she considered her volleyball journey.  She recalled playing in gym class for the first time.  She remembered the thrill of acing her first overhand serve.  This sport had been her heart and soul since that day; its court a place of pure adrenalin and intense focus.

Volleyball had changed her life.  How great was it that she got to do what she truly loved?

Bump. Set. Ka-boom!  The crowd would go wild cheering, clapping, and whistling to support the team.  The sense of community had never been more prevalent – students, faculty, and fans - all boisterous, vibrant, and engaged in a spirit of positive vibes and great fun!  Even during warmups, tonight, the noise tonight was thunderous – maybe even a little distracting. 

Tonight’s crowd was electric.  Cheers roared into the air as the greatest of celebratory explosions.

Then suddenly, the overcrowded gymnasium went deathly quiet.  For perhaps the first time ever, fans sat in silence as Melina’s brother, Payton, was escorted to a courtside seat wearing large, noise-canceling headphones.

Payton has autism and is particularly sensitive to noise, making it impractical for him to endure the commotion volleyball matches create.  People with his condition are sometimes overstimulated by sounds that cause them to become overwhelmed and anxious.  Despite being a huge fan of the sport on TV, he’d never seen his sister play.

The high school crowd had agreed to sit quietly for the first 10 points of the game so that Melina’s brother could support his sister in person for the last game of her senior season. 

One could hear players quietly communicating among themselves and an occasional soft whistle.  

Payton cheered as his sister racked up the kills.  He left the game after the eighth point was scored, knowing the noise level would be too loud when the 10^th point of the match was secured. 

Before leaving, Melina nodded to her brother inconspicuously, for his presence had supercharged her final performance.  She thanked him for coming to which he mouthed “BIG HITS, SIS!”

The 10^th point came on another kill from Melina.  Cheers erupted as teammates and coaches from both sides embraced her in the special moment.  Of all her special memories of the sport she loved, that one will last forever.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently used athletic competition as a metaphor for the challenges of the Christian life.  You can also find fundamentals of good sportsmanship weaved through Scripture, all of which can be applied both on and off the playing field.  There’s nothing wrong with winning.  But when we’re participating in a worthwhile activity, God commands that we do it with our might and do it right!

Lord, let me compete well but fairly.  Let competition make me strong but never hostile.  Keep me from rejoicing in the adversity of others.  When we play, let it be done in a God-pleasing manner despite the outcome, and in ways that glorify You.  Amen

Thank You Arby's

 “Love believes, hopes, and endures all things." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:7

They dined there 3 or 4 times a week for, well I don’t know for sure how long, but probably since the eatery sold subs for only 69 cents. Maybe it was the casual atmosphere or the highly-stacked,  slow-roasted, beef sandwiches.

There are delis all across America that pile them a foot high with a variety of meats. But do they serve curly fries? Do they have delicious milkshakes? Umm... no!

Could it be they chose Arby’s as their go-to spot because they were the first fast-food restaurant to offer a lighter menu (1991) with fewer than 300 calories or that they banned smoking in all their locations (1994) before anyone else?

We’re unknowingly surrounded by great love stories every day, whether it’s a couple you briefly see on the bus or the pair beside you in a restaurant. But, while Fred and Janice appeared to be out just for a meal, there was a lot more to their story. So, I watched and listened.

They found a familiar booth near the window. I wondered if they might sit across from each other.

Fred spoke quietly. “Damn!” he uttered, “I forgot my hearing aids again. I better sit over next to you dear, or I won’t be able to hear you.”

Janice replied tenderly: “Fred, I saw you put your hearing aids in! If you want to sit next to me, just say so.”

He nodded with a chuckle, “Aw, you got me!” He’d undoubtedly used that one before.

He unwrapped a plain sandwich and carefully cut it in half, placing one half in front of Janice. She then carefully counted out the curly fries, dividing them into two piles. They took turns sipping from a drink with two straws and savored the meal over light chatter.

When it was time to leave, Fred emptied the trash, but not before addressing Arby’s staff. “Please make a reservation for Valentine’s Day for us. We want to make sure we get our favorite spot again,” he teased.

Too precious! I was curious, so I returned about the same time on February 14^th. Sure enough, I found them seated at the same table. But this time it was decorated for the occasion.

Janice smiled and shared a note that had been left for them. “To share a deep love and bond that only grows as we age is one of the most beautiful things on earth. Thank you for gracing our place with your presence!” ~ signed ‘The Arby’s Staff’

The thought of two people demonstrating such tenderness is heart-melting at any age, but this special moment reminds us that no matter how old we get, we have plenty of little ways to show each other how much we care.

Almighty Father, help me to be the [husband/wife] You intended me to be. Show me where I need to improve. Help me to be a better communicator, help me to love my spouse better, and help us both to grow closer to You every day. Amen

Lost

 “The Good Shepherd looks after His scattered flock and rescues them from darkness.” ~ Ezekiel 34:12

Angie would never forget THAT day - that day as an eight-year-old, she stood staring up at the 150-foot-tall Matterhorn.  When she dropped her gaze to look for her friends and parents, they’d vanished into a sea of Magic Kingdom visitors.

She was lost … and petrified.  A blanket of desperation had started to spread over her.

At no more than 4 feet tall, all she saw were swarms of strangers from the waist down.  People walked past, turning occasionally to look but never offering help.  Angie feared that she’d never get home again.

The evening sky grew darker and devilish.  Soon her sobbing turned into loud cries; so loud she began gasping for breath.

Mercifully, a kind woman stopped, knelt at the child’s eye level, and promised to wait until someone came to find her.  Looking back, it probably wasn’t more than a minute or two, but each second felt like an hour. 

Suddenly her Dad appeared from the crowd and scooped her into his arms with an embrace that stole both her breath and the heat from her skin.  He wiped her tears with a calloused finger, roughness that brought more relief than her little heart could hold.

Angie tried to speak but all she could do was croak, "I love you Daddy, I won’t leave you again, not ever!”  His mouth painted a grateful smile.  He nodded once before folding her into his arms again.

When she remembers that day nearly twenty years ago, her eyes still water with tears of every kind.  She’d never been happier to see anyone in her entire life.

Aren’t we all just seconds away from getting lost and prone to falling, failing, and forgetting? 

We have been lost sheep at some point in our lives - easily distracted, defenseless, and constantly needing direction, forgiveness, healing, and rest.

Happily, we’re not only needy sheep but also lucky sheep, because we have a Shepherd.  And not just any shepherd, but the Good Shepherd.  His name is Jesus – one who shows us how He can and does care for each of our individual wants, needs, hopes, and dreams.

Sheep are always looking for something else to eat or drink.  They’re never satisfied, always wanting something more and moving from place to place to get it.  We’re the same way, aren’t we?  We’re always moving on to the next best thing.  We can never quite have enough!  When the next iPhone gets released, we’ll be anxiously waiting for it.

But our Shepherd can satisfy our souls.  He is what we truly need.  Even when we are far away from God, completely unaware of His presence, He actively pursues us, calling us to Himself.

“Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.  Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of my God forevermore.”  Amen ~ Marty Haugen (Psalm 23)

Living Authentically

 “His Truth will set you free." ~ John 8:32

Paul stood at the bar, waiting for his cappuccino when the barista politely asked him what he was up to today. “Off to Hawaii,” he smiled, to celebrate our 30^th anniversary with my wife. After a brief minute of chatting, the barista handed over his drink and wished Paul a nice trip. “But then again,” she said, “why wouldn’t you? You’re so lucky!”

His brain stuttered for a moment. She wasn’t being rude or sarcastic, but authentic. Every part of him paused while his thoughts battled to catch up. That young girl saw him no more than five minutes a day - always dressed up on the way to his executive position in one of the industry’s largest auto suppliers. That’s all she saw … so that’s all she knew.

There’s a kind of darkness in assumptions, especially when so many of our connections happen only 5 minutes at a time - fully filtered and faultlessly posted. It’s not entirely our fault. Our battles don’t translate well with a dozen people waiting behind us or 140 characters to describe our day.  

Paul had recently been diagnosed with ALS, their oldest son was fighting drug addiction, and he felt the guilt of not being able to do enough for his aging parents.

Paul wouldn’t have shared that with her.  Shocking strangers seemed a bit cruel.  But he spent the entire flight wondering about authenticity, vulnerability, and our polished identities. 

He felt like a fraud.  If he next showed up wearing his scarred and tattered self, a very different girl would stare back at him.

Paul was self-conscious of his smile. He was afraid to swim in the ocean, avoided playing memory games, and wondered if he was present enough with his family. He could be petty at times and often took things way too personally. His online persona shared none of that. Nor does it reveal how morbidly terrified he is of his future health limitations.

He grapples with feelings of inadequacy. Is he smart enough? Funny enough? Godly enough?

But one thing’s for sure; even with all his frailty, fears, and faults - none of those things make his life less complete. Fears, scars, and shortcomings tell stories too. Maybe it’s not about collecting “likes” for the perceived reality we portray on Facebook but about the purple hearts we get for bravely living an authentic life - blemishes and all.

So, give up the act. Get comfortable being vulnerable. Focus on connections, not possessions. And give from your core gifts - all those qualities that make you uniquely you. When you do, you honor and lift everyone and everything you touch … including yourself. 

Accept the messiness and complexity of your reality – it’s what makes your soul beautiful.

Lord, Your Word says that everything created by You is good; that nothing should be rejected. Help me to be comfortable with who You made me to be. Give me the courage to be honest, truthful, vulnerable, and authentic. Amen

One Fine Day

“Whatever you do for one of the least of these, you do for me." ~ Matthew 25:40

The American missionary wandered through the small Guatemalan village. While he’d spiritually planned for this trip, Manuel wasn’t prepared for the poverty, living conditions, and pervasive hunger he confronted upon his arrival two days ago. 

Still, he was eager to learn from local Mayans, to see how they were tackling problems of almost overwhelming magnitude, and to learn from their successes and their failures. Manuel prayed that exploring another culture would give him a sharper perspective – becoming more observant, thankful, and accepting of others. 

His path led him to a handwritten note posted on a wooden utility pole. There was an urgency in its frenzied style; writing that spoke from the heart.  It read:

“Please help, yesterday a 50 quetzales (often abbreviated as 50Q) bill fell from my pocket near this corner. My eyesight isn’t too good anymore so I couldn’t find it. If you found it, please return it to me soon.” 

Below those words, the author left an address. Strange he thought, 50Q seemed like such a measly amount ($6.47 USD), but the person who wrote the note must have really needed the money.

Manuel asked for directions to the house and, upon arrival, knocked on the door. An old woman limped forward. Milky eyes set deep into a time-worn face revealed damage from Guatemala’s punishing UV rays. She showed no reluctance to the stranger in her presence.

“I saw your note and came to return your money,” he offered warmly.

Tears came quickly – the kind that made the frail woman tremble. Manuel waited for her to speak.

“Young man,” she began, “at least 30 people have already stopped by and returned what they believed was my 50Q bill. They must have assumed my condition and offered to help an old woman out of compassion.”

“Please sir,” she said through more tears. “Keep your money and thank you for your kindness. Would you mind removing my note from that pole? I’ve been blessed well beyond my needs!”

He agreed but added a 200Q note to a large pile of bills already on the table that must have totaled over $1,000 USD worth of Guatemalan currency. He smiled to himself as he walked back toward the street. “She must have asked every other visitor before me to remove the note too,” he thought. “Since no one else had done so, why should he?”

God’s heart aches for the poor and needy; they’re His children too. He’s right beside every person on earth. We must follow in His footsteps, it’s that simple. When we reach out to people who’re hurting, our problems begin to shrink, and we draw closer to God’s heart in the process!

Lord, “use my hands and feet to make Your kingdom come. To the corners of the earth until Your work is done. ‘Cause faith without works is dead, on the     cross Your blood was shed. So how could we not give it away so freely?” ~ Leeland