Our weekly softball game was tonight. We drew the 6:30 and the 8:30 games. Which mainly means we spend two hours sizzling likes eggs on a skillet considering the sauna like weather we are having. We lose the first game to a team that played a little bit better than we did. Not a big deal the world continues to turn.
The second game was the interesting one. We were playing a team that is a regular in this league. We were the home team, with time running out and two outs we needed 7 runs to win. There is literally 1 minute before the time expires. Either we score the 6 to go into extra innings, 7 to win, get out before the time expires which forces another inning or get out to lose. 1 minute left and the team decides to change pitchers to use up a little of the remaining time left on the clock. With about 45 seconds left the pitcher can not stall with warm up pitches any longer. Our teammate steps to the plate (we told him to bunt if it came to him because that would be an automatic out). The new pitchers proceeds to do a fake pitch that looks a lot like what you would do to a dog if you were trying to fake him out by acting like you were throwing a ball but the entire time holding it. The clock runs out but because we are in the middle of an at bat we have to finish out the inning. Our guy pops out, game over, we lose.
At the end of each game both teams shake hands, we have been doing this since the beginning of little league ball. As I was shaking hands with the other team (a feat I was not to inclined to do, to be honest) I noticed the windmill pitcher jawing at our team as he was headed to his dug out without shaking our hands. This is where the story changes course into an actual blog moment.
I followed the guy into the dug out and said something like this: "Hey sir, if you are going to play that kind of softball, at least give me the courtesy of a hand shake like the rest of your team." He shook my hand with quite a cocky smile on his face. I walked out as if I had done something significant.
As I was driving home I relieved the moment in my head. I am a pretty cool headed guy and for the most part make pretty good decisions. As I was driving home I realized:
NOT ONLY DID THIS GUY BEAT ME ON THE FIELD, HE BEAT ME IN MY HEART.
The heart is where it matters most. Rec league softball games come and go, but I allowed this guy that I don't even know to win the battle for my heart. I allowed an invader to take charge and effect my judgment.
Was what I did mildly amusing? Yea, I did it with a smirky attitude
Was what I did justifiable? Of course, this guy embarrassed our team by his actions.
Was what I did the person my Heavenly Father is calling me to be? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Pastor Jess and I are talking in large detail this concept of the attitude we should possess
in Eph. 4 and I am learning each minute how significant this is to our reflection of our Heavenly Father.
So I pray that this opportunity will present itself again. And in that moment I would hope that I would learn from the mis-steps of the past and reflect the love of my Creator.
Heart and Soul
BAG
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