The parking was easy, the stadium kind of like an old outside replica of a smaller major league field like the pictures I have seen of Wrigley Field. Everything was geared toward lightweight baseball but with the bells and whistles for kids. There was a carousel, a playground, a water park, a child singing the Star Spangled Banner, bicycle races as the teams went from infield to outfield and even big Texas rocking chairs on the side patio. An adventure for sure, and one the kids were completely submersed in delight with. My only suggestion to you if you were to go, is to dress kids in their brightest shirts and skirts, because the playground is a little overwhelming to keep up with.
This was just a baseball outing. It was a new place to go and though the outing was great fun, it was just being together that
spins their world of joy, and mine too! Watching how they relate, listening to conversations in the car, playing question games on the way, it is all a part of building relationships. On the way to the game, they were getting a little crazy in the car, excitement was stirring, the songs were getting louder etc. To calm things down a little, I knew I had to get rid of some of the noise so I turned off the CD, which was a beginning to bringing the excitement down to a management level. I began asking baseball questions, and they listened because they each wanted to be the one who answered. We all like to have the answers, you know. We took turns, giving hints when an answer was not on hand, but making sure that each had a chance to participate. Questions like how many outs, how many bases do you have to run for a home run, how many balls for a walk, how many guys are on the field, etc. And it eased the anxiousness and anticipation, and got them thinking instead of teasing each other, and getting into each others' spots.
We are no different, when things start getting a little crazy in our lives, it helps to have someone redirect our thoughts, calm our spirits and settle us down. But don't you find that one of the key factors in settling down is to get rid of some of the perpetual distractions. Clean out some of the compromising thoughts and tangled concerns that may never even happen. Sometimes, just changing the environment is a huge step in itself. As a society, we are driven to adapt to the distractions, but I can't help but think how many times I have allowed the distractions of noise and anxiousness to actually steal away my peace and contentment. God does not live in the chaos. He lives in the peace, joy and contentment of the kingdom that he manages.
I was the one who had to manage the atmosphere in the car, and as a manager I had to know when to intervene in craziness before it got out of hand. God does that very thing with us. If we allow him the reigns, he will manage our lives. He will help ease us of distractions when he sees that they are impairing our ability to hear his word, and actively seek his way. God will sometimes turn off the faucet that we turned on, because we are relying on something or someone other than him. As a manager, it is key to not only know the players but to have a key goal in place for them to focus on. I would say that God is pretty clear on his goal ( to know him better and love him more) and purposes (walk in his will and not be sidetracked by distractions) for each of us.
There is a voice within each of us, not an audible one, but one of conscience that God has placed in us that says turn off the blaring and glaring worldly demands and come into my presence of calmness. For there I will give you a peace that passes all understanding. There, I will help clarify those thoughts that are tangled about in your mind. I will give you answers that you need to know, and reserve other answers so that I can help you learn to trust in me, and we can build a relationship together.
What does this have to do with taking the kids to a baseball game? It is very similar. God, I am convinced, wants us to enjoy life, but enjoy life in peace not in chaos. He directs our path, protects our ways, and gives us opportunities to seek out wonders of his love. They are all around us but we have to be willing to have that relationship with him and go with him when he calls, and listen to him when he redirects our attentions.
God brings out the best in us, for he knows the best in us. We have that same calling with our kids and grandkids. But we can only bring out the best in them if we can relate to them and build between us a relationship that is filled with love, honor, respect and discipline. That is what God is doing with us each day that we choose to be with him. It is all about quality time spent with someone who loves you, adores you and wants the very best for you. Of course we want that for our kids and grandkids, but if we want that on our finite level can you even imagine how God wants that for each of us on his infinite level?
1 Timothy 6:17
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Dear Lord, Help me to turn down and turn off the distractions of the world that interfere with my knowing you better. Calm my heart and transform my mind so that I am able to enjoy you and the many offerings that you have placed before me. Amen
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
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