“Never tire of doing good." ~ Galatians 6:9-10
One afternoon, Serena and her Mom, Regina, walked past a
park where two teams were playing softball. Serena sheepishly asked, "Do
you think they’d let me play?"
Regina knew that her
daughter’s cognitive and physical limitations would probably dissuade any of
the girls from wanting her on their team. But she also knew that allowing her
to play would give Serena a needed sense of belonging.
She approached one of
the teams’ coaches. “Losing by 11 runs, we’re about to be “mercied,” the coach
admitted. Why not, if we don’t get two runs this inning, the game’s over
anyway.”
Regina glowed. Serena’s
smile was effervescent.
After two strikeouts,
the third batter on Serena’s team hit a blistering single. The coach motioned
for Serena to pick up a bat. Having never played before, she didn’t know how to
hold it properly. One of her new teammates walked her to the plate and gave her
a quick swing lesson. Everyone knew it was probably futile.
But on the third try, Serena
hit a slow ground ball back to the pitcher. With plenty of time to throw the
ball to first for the final out, she threw the ball deep into right field.
Players from both teams yelled, "Serena, run to first. Run fast!"
Eyes wide, she raced
down the baseline screaming with excitement. When she got to first base, fans
yelled, “Keep running, Serena. Run to second."
The right fielder retrieved
the ball and intentionally threw the ball far over the second baseman's head
and into left field. Serena reached second base safely where the shortstop
turned her in the direction of third base and shouted, "Keep going!"
When Serena rounded third, girls from both teams encouraged
her to “Run Home!” Almost out of breath, she stepped on home plate where both
teams cheered her enthusiastically.
Her team still lost but Serena’s home run extended the game
for two more innings. She played right field without a fielding chance, but
would never forget being the hero, making her Mom so happy, and watching her
Dad tear up when recounting her time in the spotlight.
Did you find yourself
rooting for Serena, too? Those girls helped bring a slice of benevolence into
our world.
Every day presents us
with hundreds of seemingly trivial opportunities to do the same. We have two
choices. Do we extend a little spark of kindness and inspiration, or do we pass
them up and leave the world a little bit more indifferent and uncaring?
Oh God of compassion, comfort, and refuge.
Thank You for surrounding me with good people. Remind me to show them daily how
much they matter and shower them with the same kindness You have given me. Amen
