The Almost Home Run

We were behind by two runs with two outs and a man on second base. I was the third batter in the lineup and was on deck. Bill, our second batter was one of our best hitters and capable of hitting long balls.

The dilemma the other team faced was to either pitch to Bill or to walk him and pitch to me, someone who didn't seem at least to be a power hitter. I think it took all of two seconds before they decided to pitch to me and threw four balls intentionally walking Bill.

The outfield was in some to try and get a cut off at the plate just in case I hit it their way. The first pitch was a strike that I took a swing at and missed. On the second pitch I connected as well as any ball I'd ever hit. The ball went sailing high over the left fielder's head and into the edge of the woods. We didn't have fences so home runs had to be run out. I rounded first and headed for second, then third and easily crossing home plate for a home run.

Then it happened, the ball came in to second and the second baseman touched the base. The umpire called me out saying that I'd never touched second base. I was furious. I had touched the base. The coach was mad and our team was mad. It was a really big deal. In fact the coach almost quit over it. The home run I almost had was nullified. We lost in the next inning and were devastated.

The secret that I hold in my heart and I alone know until you read this is that I never touched second base. The second baseman was right and the umpire was right. This has been my secret for almost 50 years and one that I still feel ashamed about. It was a lie that could have hurt relationships for a long time. But instead of admitting that I messed up, I covered it up for all these years. Now, the coach and umpire are both dead. Actually, they probably forgot about it 49 and 1/2 years ago, but I didn't and now it can never be corrected.

Lying does that to us. Many times we're the only one who knows the truth, but that doesn't make it right. Once it's done it at times is impossible to correct the damage that is done to others and or to yourself.

Today, I cherish my integrity. I'm not perfect, but I try to be truthful with everyone. Sometimes it's hard and it hurts to face it, but not as much as keeping it buried in your heart.

Proverbs 6:16ff - There are six things the Lord hates one of those is a lying tongue.

Clip art courtesy of http://www.iloveclipart.com

The Empty Room

Well, for the first time in 36 years Kathy and I stayed at home without anybody but ourselves. For 18 years it was the two of of us with our two boys and the dog. When our youngest went off to college that left us with just our oldest, who has cerebral palsy and our two dogs. Two years ago one of our dogs died and a few weeks ago our second dog died. That left the three of us.

Last week our oldest developed pneumonia and had to be put into the hospital. With him in ICU we came home to a dark quiet house, no kids, not pets. It was just the two of us. It was an eerie feeling to walk into the boys' room and know nobody would be sleeping there that night or the next few nights for that matter.

I turned off the monitor in our bedroom for the night for the first time in years. There would be no getting up 2 or 3 times a night to check on our son. There would be no dog scratching the side of the bed in the morning to take a trip outside. There would be no feedings of son or dog during the day. The TV would remain quiet. Fewer clothes would be washed. It would be quiet for the next several days.

But, you know, it really wasn't peaceful. You'd think that it would be nice to be in the quiet atmosphere without as many responsibilities as before. The nights were filled with concern for our sons. Our youngest was in the middle of a move and he and his family were all sick. The oldest was lying in the hospital. We'd come in late and arise early to get back up to check on him.

I believe God's kind of like that. There is really no rest while his children are hurting. He lives with a constant concern for them and their well being. He cares for us every sleeping and waking hour that we live. David wrote in the Psalm 55, "Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice."

Jesus talked about the rooms in His Father's house in John 14, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you".

It's comforting to know that God will never rest as long as there is an empty room.

Last night I slept better. The monitor was on and the room was no longer empty.

To See Tomorrow

Have you ever wished you could see into tomorrow to find out what it holds for you? People spend lots of money to try and do just that. Palm Readers, Fortune Tellers, Ouija Boards, Tarot Cards, Horoscopes and the list goes on, are all ways that people want to see what their future holds. In reality you can see into tomorrow. That is if you are in the right place.

Between the Russian mainland and Alaska there are a couple of islands. They are the Diomede Islands. The larger one "Big" Diomede is part of Russia. The smaller one "Little" Diomede is part of the state of Alaska. They are about two and a half miles apart. The interesting thing is that the International Date Line runs between the two Islands. Therefore, you can stand on the shore of Little Diomede and cast your eyes on Big Diomede. When you do you are looking 21 hours into the future. You are looking at tomorrow.

In fact, with permission of course, you could get into a boat head out from Little Diomede to Big Diomede, check out tomorrow and then come back to today. That's about a half hour trip there and back. While on the big island you can look back at yesterday and come back to today on your trip home.

Of course you can't predict what will happen to you on that island, but there is one lesson that can be learned from visiting tomorrow. There is one constant that you can always count on. That is that Jesus Christ is the same Yesterday, and Today and Forever. (Heb. 13:8)

With this in mind we can always look into tomorrow with the confidence that our Savior will be there to meet us.

All I Have to Give

It used to be popular for traveling missionaries to go through areas of the African jungles and establish congregations of Christian worshipers. When first converted many of these congregations were very strict and serious about making sure that they followed the way of the New Testament.

It was the practice at these meetings to carry a large basket during the offering and pass in front of each individual for them to place whatever offering they had brought to the Lord. Everyone was expected to give a gift to God for his work to be done.

At one particular meeting the basket was being carried down the aisle with people placing what they could in its coffer. Finally the two men came to a young teenage boy who had nothing to put in the basket. All he had was the clothes he wore. The men stood in front of the lad waiting, but to no avail. In order to make an example of him the two men sat the basket down and stood silently staring at the embarrassed young man.

The scene lasted for several minutes with the entire congregation focused on the young man as he stood, head bowed with tears rolling down his cheeks. As the two men decided it was useless , but their point being made, they started to pick up the basket. Suddenly, the young teenager raised his head, smiled and stepped into the basket. Proudly he proclaimed, "All I have to give is me, so me I give to God."

Amazingly that's what God really wants as a gift from us, the gift of ourselves. We can give of all the riches we have, but none of it means anything to God unless it is from within our hearts. Our primary gift to God should be our very lives. If we do this not only will God receive what he wants from us, but a heart given to God also turns over not only token gifts of our riches, but all of what we possess.

Jesus told the rich young ruler that if he wanted to do God's will, he must go sell everything he had and follow Him. In other words, Jesus must mean more to us than any worldly possession we have.

Now, when was the last time you stepped into the basket?