My Little League experience this year hasn't been as rewarding. Part of it is the age group is so young (6-8), I seem to end up doing more baby-sitting than coaching. And I haven't felt like I've left any kind of impression or real connection with the boys, and they haven't really progressed with the sport.
So as I drove to the field, I was glad that it was the second-to-last game and I figured I'd gut through it and finish off next week.
Well, God surprised me.
Not only did the kids play their best game ever on the field - and without any dads standing over them in the field, which is allowed - they also connected with me big time throughout the night. They behaved on the bench, they asked me lots of great questions and I was even able to teach them about sportsmanship, using the example of a bad sport on the other team.
There even was a cooling rain on us for a while, almost as if God was showering down his blessings and reminding me to trust in Him as I try to set a Christian example whenever and wherever possible.
Thank you Lord for a great night.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Happy Faces
I haven't posted since Monday and wonder how much longer I will continue doing this blog.
It's been a busy week with our friends Mark and Iliana stopping by on Tuesday night, the Little League game Wednesday night, Shawn coming home Thursday night and the first Dubuque ... And All That Jazz last night.
It was during All That Jazz that I felt God's presence as one of my favorite live bands The Salsa Band performed.
At one point, three young women strolled to the edge of an open area for dancing. Most people nearby were standing or sitting and watching the band perform, but a few people and several children danced. The three women slowly began to sway to the music and had huge smiles on their faces. They were a bit self-conscious, but gave in to their urges and visibly enjoyed themselves.
After that, I began paying attention to the many other smiles in the large crowd and it made me think of heaven and good things.
With my back/leg problems slowly getting worse and my continued abnormal sleeping patterns, it was a welcome moment of happiness.
It's been a busy week with our friends Mark and Iliana stopping by on Tuesday night, the Little League game Wednesday night, Shawn coming home Thursday night and the first Dubuque ... And All That Jazz last night.
It was during All That Jazz that I felt God's presence as one of my favorite live bands The Salsa Band performed.
At one point, three young women strolled to the edge of an open area for dancing. Most people nearby were standing or sitting and watching the band perform, but a few people and several children danced. The three women slowly began to sway to the music and had huge smiles on their faces. They were a bit self-conscious, but gave in to their urges and visibly enjoyed themselves.
After that, I began paying attention to the many other smiles in the large crowd and it made me think of heaven and good things.
With my back/leg problems slowly getting worse and my continued abnormal sleeping patterns, it was a welcome moment of happiness.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Christian Friends
I spent happy hour at Carlos O'Kelly's with a couple of longtime Christian friends, Mark and Iliana, tonight. We shared a couple drinks, appetizers, the US World Cup soccer win over Ghana and Christian fellowship.
They are the most openly comfortable Christian friends I have outside of my Bible study group.
In fact, Mark is perhaps the most fervent Christian I know - I admire his emotional ties to the Lord and his ways. He was one of the first people to tell me while I was depressed and searching for answers that this world is not our real home - heaven is - and that's why it can be tough living here at times for Christians.
And Iliana is one of the kindest people I've ever known, though she also can be quite the emotional spokesperson for God and his ways.
Kris missed this gathering as she was just getting back from her trip to Omaha. But Mark and Iliana are going to visit us tomorrow and it should be another nice get-together.
Praise the Lord for good friends!
They are the most openly comfortable Christian friends I have outside of my Bible study group.
In fact, Mark is perhaps the most fervent Christian I know - I admire his emotional ties to the Lord and his ways. He was one of the first people to tell me while I was depressed and searching for answers that this world is not our real home - heaven is - and that's why it can be tough living here at times for Christians.
And Iliana is one of the kindest people I've ever known, though she also can be quite the emotional spokesperson for God and his ways.
Kris missed this gathering as she was just getting back from her trip to Omaha. But Mark and Iliana are going to visit us tomorrow and it should be another nice get-together.
Praise the Lord for good friends!
Friday, June 13, 2014
Jim Job
As with most people, I go through stages of feeling sorry for myself. Sometimes, like with the loss of a loved one, it's understandable. Other times, when things don't seem to go my way, within my time frame, it's not.
Either way, I pride myself on snapping out of it - with the help of God, but also on my own. I believe He expects me to take charge of my life, too.
The past several months, it's been pretty challenging. From a long-lasting bout of insomnia to a herniated disk that has severely extended down my left leg to a general increase of stress at work ... I feel as though I'm being tested as a modern-day Job.
Immediately after typing that or thinking such a ridiculous thing, I realize that I am no way close to being as challenged as the Biblical figure. Yet, try as I might, I seem incapable of taking charge to improve my condition and God seems to be allowing it to exist.
Fortunately, I have Kris in my life to help me through it.
For now, I take it one day at a time and cling to the belief that eventually, I will be a better Christian because of my resoluteness.
Either way, I pride myself on snapping out of it - with the help of God, but also on my own. I believe He expects me to take charge of my life, too.
The past several months, it's been pretty challenging. From a long-lasting bout of insomnia to a herniated disk that has severely extended down my left leg to a general increase of stress at work ... I feel as though I'm being tested as a modern-day Job.
Immediately after typing that or thinking such a ridiculous thing, I realize that I am no way close to being as challenged as the Biblical figure. Yet, try as I might, I seem incapable of taking charge to improve my condition and God seems to be allowing it to exist.
Fortunately, I have Kris in my life to help me through it.
For now, I take it one day at a time and cling to the belief that eventually, I will be a better Christian because of my resoluteness.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Kill Them With Kindness
During tonight's Little League Baseball game, as I was coaching near the dugout - I said "during" - a mom came over and told me I wasn't playing her son enough in the positions that challenged him. Now, the dugout area in our league is quite congested, as other parents help out and the kids - ages 6-8 - mill around a lot.
But it still took a lot of guts to do such a thing.
She didn't make a scene, and I calmly explained to her how hard I try being fair to all 12 boys on the team when it comes to positions and batting order. Not sure if it got through or not.
As I drove home, it bothered me more and more. I truly DO try very hard to be fair. I made up my mind I was going to send out a general email to all parents reminding them of that.
But God spoke to me (at least to my conscious). Instead, I am going to send the mom a kind email, telling her I understand how much she cares about her son and that I will continue to try to be as fair as possible.
If she STILL doesn't get it, God help her.
But it still took a lot of guts to do such a thing.
She didn't make a scene, and I calmly explained to her how hard I try being fair to all 12 boys on the team when it comes to positions and batting order. Not sure if it got through or not.
As I drove home, it bothered me more and more. I truly DO try very hard to be fair. I made up my mind I was going to send out a general email to all parents reminding them of that.
But God spoke to me (at least to my conscious). Instead, I am going to send the mom a kind email, telling her I understand how much she cares about her son and that I will continue to try to be as fair as possible.
If she STILL doesn't get it, God help her.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Iva
Today there was a message on my phone at work from an elderly woman identifying herself as Iva.
She said she was at Mercy Hospital and was looking our her window on Saturday. She saw "the most beautiful rainbow" she has ever seen, and it was over the East Dubuque bridge. She wondered if anybody at the newspaper had gotten a photo of it.
Well, I called her later in the morning and told her that I didn't believe anybody had taken one because if they had, it would probably have been in the paper. She asked if I would check and told me about her injured back.
"I sure would like to have a photo of that rainbow," she said.
When I got off the phone, I asked around and photographer Jessica Reilly said she thought staffer Erik Hogstrom had taken a photo of it and put it on Facebook. I talked with Erik and his photo was from a different vantage point, but it did get the rainbow. He and Jessica helped work it out to where we produced a glossy photo for Iva.
After work, I dropped it off at the Mercy front desk, and the little old lady behind it smiled and said she'd make sure Iva got it. Just thinking about her reaction made me feel very good.
I thank God for inspiring me to make the extra effort on behalf of my fellow human being.
She said she was at Mercy Hospital and was looking our her window on Saturday. She saw "the most beautiful rainbow" she has ever seen, and it was over the East Dubuque bridge. She wondered if anybody at the newspaper had gotten a photo of it.
Well, I called her later in the morning and told her that I didn't believe anybody had taken one because if they had, it would probably have been in the paper. She asked if I would check and told me about her injured back.
"I sure would like to have a photo of that rainbow," she said.
When I got off the phone, I asked around and photographer Jessica Reilly said she thought staffer Erik Hogstrom had taken a photo of it and put it on Facebook. I talked with Erik and his photo was from a different vantage point, but it did get the rainbow. He and Jessica helped work it out to where we produced a glossy photo for Iva.
After work, I dropped it off at the Mercy front desk, and the little old lady behind it smiled and said she'd make sure Iva got it. Just thinking about her reaction made me feel very good.
I thank God for inspiring me to make the extra effort on behalf of my fellow human being.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
White Lies and Not-so-White
Riding my bike on Heritage Trail today, I was stopped by a DNR guy and asked for my trail pass. It's the first time since I've been buying passes the past three years that I've been stopped.
Of course, this year, I've procrastinated - partly because of my injured back when I couldn't ride for a few weeks - and haven't bought one yet.
When the DNR guy asked for mine, I lied and said I had paid cash in the box at the beginning of the trail. I felt bad about it the rest of my ride and vowed to be honest if he caught me on my return trip. He was gone by then, but I plan to buy a pass tomorrow.
I pride myself on being honest. But, being as sinful as the next person, I have and will lie at times. Some of them are of the white lie variety, where telling the truth would serve no purpose except for make another person feel bad. Maybe even God is OK with those, as they tend to fall under the Golden Rule umbrella.
Anyway, I asked for forgiveness for today's lie and will work to refrain from lying as much as humanly possible.
Of course, this year, I've procrastinated - partly because of my injured back when I couldn't ride for a few weeks - and haven't bought one yet.
When the DNR guy asked for mine, I lied and said I had paid cash in the box at the beginning of the trail. I felt bad about it the rest of my ride and vowed to be honest if he caught me on my return trip. He was gone by then, but I plan to buy a pass tomorrow.
I pride myself on being honest. But, being as sinful as the next person, I have and will lie at times. Some of them are of the white lie variety, where telling the truth would serve no purpose except for make another person feel bad. Maybe even God is OK with those, as they tend to fall under the Golden Rule umbrella.
Anyway, I asked for forgiveness for today's lie and will work to refrain from lying as much as humanly possible.
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