By Judy Vandiver.

I’ve been super busy this week, so choose a post I wrote many years ago to run again today. Even though I witnessed this event, and wrote the post, it still speaks to me when I read it again. I hope it does to you, too.

______________________________________________________________________________________

The Winning Team — Alex stood in the outfield, his head down and his shoulders slumped. He no longer watched the infield. What did it matter? No one was able to hit the ball far enough for him to reach him. In disgust, he took the baseball glove off and flung it to the ground. Then he did what any disappointed four-year-old might do. He cried. 

His dirty hands, swiped at the tears and left streaks of brown across his sun burned face. Alex crossed his legs as he dropped to the ground. With his elbows on his jean-clad knees, he propped his chin up with both fists. Then he cried some more. 

“Time out,” bellowed the coach. All eyes watched as he walked to the outfield and knelt next to the small, frustrated boy. Alex’s mother rose from the stands and joined them. The three sat on the ground as though having a pow-wow. 

Sitting on the hard wooden bleachers, I could only guess on the conversation. Soon, the pow-wow ended. Alex tried to erase the tears with the back of his hand. 

The coach escorted Alex to a new in-field position between the pitcher and third base. Even from a distance I could see Alex’s head raise slightly with each deep breath he took. I could imagine the sound of sniffling with each lift of the dark hair. As the coach placed Alex in the newly created position, he lowered his mouth near Alex’s ear. Alex shook his head up and down. 

Alex’s mother sat next to me in the stands. “He’s frustrated because he feels his position is useless. I thought he should stay there, but the coach is moving him in field.

“It doesn’t really matter,” she continued, “they’ve already won the game.” 

“What do you mean,” I asked. “They’re still playing. The game isn’t over.”

“For the young group, the T-Ball players, each team is only allowed so many runs per inning. Alex’s team is so far ahead that even if the other team gets their maximum runs on the next two innings, they could not catch up. So even though they continue to play, Alex’s team has already won.” 

“Why don’t they quit? You know, call the game?” I asked.

“Because they are giving the boys a chance to practice their game by continuing to play. They’ll be better players for having this extra time. It just won’t change the outcome of the game.”

“Oh, I understand,” I said, even though I wasn’t sure that I did. My eyes went back to the ball field. A redheaded youngster from the opposing team moved into the batter box. He swung and missed. He swung a second time and missed again. He swung a third time, and his bat met the ball, shoving it in a straight line to the right of third base. 

Alex’s face broke into a broad smile as he darted forward. The third baseman’s mouth dropped as his eyes became large and rounded. Tightening his jaw and squinting his eyes, he made a dash for the ball. At that same moment, the pitcher burst from the mound, trying to outrun Alex.

All three four-year-olds arrived at the ball at the same instant. Alex dove for the ball, hitting the dirt hard with his entire body. The third baseman piled on top of Alex, just before being sandwiched in when the pitcher nose-dived into the pile. The boys soon became tangled within themselves creating a ball of dust and dirt energized by six flaying arms and six thrashing tennis-shoe clad legs. 

The coach again advanced onto the field. Plucking each boy from the heap, he unraveled the pile. As the pitcher and third baseman appeared empty-handed, tears flowed down their faces. Alex surfaced with the ball, but for some reason was crying as hard as the other two. The other six players on the team soon joined the trio in their bawling. 

“Why are you crying?” shouted several people from the stands. “You’ve already won the game.” We sat there and watched the unhappy winning team. 

Then I saw him. The little red headed boy sprinted around the bases. First, second, third, past the crying team members and on to home plate. He cheered for himself. His team cheered for him. A redheaded man in the stands cheered for him.

Alex’s team continued to cry. As their tears slowly began to subside, they walked from the field; their little bodies sagging, looking like old men returning from a weary battle, defeated and dejected. 

The yells from the crowd, “But you won!” did nothing to help lift the spirits of the little boys who had played so hard. Those little boys, Alex included, went home that night looking like little puppy dogs dragging their tails. 

As I sat down that evening for my quiet time with the Lord, I prayed, “God help those little boys with their attitude. They were poor sports and didn’t realize they were victors.”

“A lot like you.” I wondered where that thought came from. Reflecting on my own life, I realized that I sometimes act like the little four-year-olds on the ball field. 

There have been times I have not been satisfied with the position God has given me and have wanted Him to create a position more to my choosing; like when He asked me to serve as a sponsor on a mission trip for teenagers. I enlightened God with several reasons why He should choose someone else. I just wanted an easier job in the Kingdom.

I recalled Paul’s exhortation to the Christians at Corinth. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.” 

God went on to reiterate that even though I do not always act like it, as a Christian, I am on the winning team. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s word reveals that He is King over the whole earth and that someday “the devil will be thrown into the lake of burning sulfur.” Although that day has not come yet, I have read the “back of the book” and know the ending. 

“So why,” I asked myself, “do I sometimes whine and complain to God as if Satan were in control?” “Life is unfair. It’s too hard,” and “I can’t get through this” have been in my speech too many times. 

And all the time I am complaining, my adversary, the devil, is busy running the bases. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to “be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

 Even now, years later, I can still picture those little boys squabbling among their own teammates instead of working together and concentrating on defeating their opponent. It is a constant reminder of how I should work to encourage fellow Christians rather than focusing on myself. 

Paul thought the same thing when he wrote to the Philippians: “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minding, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others.”

Alex is much older now. He has grown and matured. As I think back to the day of that T-ball game, I ask myself if I have grown and matured from the lessons God taught me. Some days I stand in the outfield, wondering when and if the ball will come to me. I pray that I will be not be found crying and disillusioned, but willing to play in the position the Lord gives me, doing so with a joyful heart. After all, I’m on God’s team—and we win! 

The Winning Team— ©2009 by Judy Vandiver

Cultural Change:  Here’s a thought. Change your thinking about promises. Don’t use earthy examples where promises are so easily broken. Parents promise their kids they’ll play with them later, but time gets away from them. Friends promise to call and stay in touch. That does’t always happen. Parents of divorce kids promise to come pick them up and have some together time. They don’t always show up. Politicians promise lots of things that they never deliver. My mom once promised us kids we would get a spanking when we got home. She forgot and we certainly didn’t remind her.

Here’s the real deal about promises. God does what He says He will do and He never breaks a promise. 2 Corinthians 1:20 in the NIV reads, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”  God promises salvation for those asking for it. He also promises eternal death for those who do not repent and come to know Him. He’s not a forgetful parent. He means what He says and He says He loves us. Read John 3:16.

Another thought for us is that we must be careful what we promise. Be faithful and true to your own words. The word “promise” is a the making of a “sacred oath.” Don’t speak the word lightly.

The other day, Steve, Dad and I were talking about our hometown of Pasadena, TX. I mentioned a place that I told them was located near the new library. Steve said he didn’t know Pasadena had built a new library and asked when had they opened it. I told him I thought it was in 1962. He and Dad laughed at me. They said the new library is now 59 years old! Steve said it wasn’t a “new” library. I told him he should have seen the “old” library. Boy it was small, but I still remember walking there from Gardens Elementary. I always loved the smell of books. The new library is nice, but doesn’t have the aroma and memories of the old library. I think a library should have the memories of the “old” library and the experience of the “new” one. 

Remember when you were first saved? For me, it was before they built the “new” library. I love it when God reminds me of those first few days after I met Him. They are still fresh in my mind and remind me how awesome a walk with The Lord is. But, today I can enjoy the memories of the most important change in my life along with the experiences God has given me throughout it.

I find myself doing things again that I did in the past. I’m enjoying going for leisurely walks, reconnecting with old high school chums, and watching reruns of Barney Fife. I find I really like having the old and familiar things in my life. But it’s fun when I can take reruns of my own life and turn them in to present-day experiences.

At a church we attended when we lived in another city, I volunteered in the church cafe. It reminded me of the days when Mom and Dad had their Cajun restaurant – the Cajun Corral. Funny how I can’t remember what I went to find in another room, but washing dishes in clorox water, wiping down tables, waiting on customers, and operating the cash register came back in a flash. I will say though, that the new electronic cash register was a snap to operate. It had pictures of the food items and you just touch the picture to ring it up. The Cajun Corral used an antique cash register with hard to push buttons. And we had to do all the math in our head!

I’ve also started painting again and find I love going back to creative things that have given me a lot of pleasure in the past. And I’m back to doing what God called me to – Write. Yep, it’s deja-vu all over again.

Sometimes going back to the old and familiar is the road to our future endeavors. This reminds me of my relationship with God. I think back to when I first accepted His forgiveness and salvation and the wonderful peace that it brought. I still feel that same peace as God has never left me. Sometimes, however, I get busy with life and don’t spend as much time on my relationship with the Lord as I used to. But then I turn around and find that God is still with me. He’s never moved from my side. It’s then that I am reminded that my greatest times of peace and joy are when I am spending time in daily devotions and Bible study. Yes, going back is often the road to the future.

Not too long ago, I decided to clean out my desk. The decision was born out of necessity. I couldn’t find my calculator—the one with the imitation jewel buttons, the gaudy one. As I dug things from the back of the drawer and from under a pile of wadded receipts, I didn’t find the calculator, but I found an old reward card offering a discount from a local hardware store.

Granted the discount wasn’t high in dollar value, but it looked like a good deal on a small purchase. If I spent $15 at the store, they would reward me with a $5 discount. Percentage wise, that’s a good bargainl.  I set the card on the corner of the desk and planned to stick it in my wallet later.

But the card called to me. It was a small card, about the size of a driver’s license, but it was packed with information. I picked it up and several things stood out to me. My name was typed on the front. The people at Ace Hardware know me. They have my name and number— member number. Apparently, this wasn’t a random offer, but a promotion for a group they identified as their customers. By putting my name on the offer, the hardware store had made the ad personal and identified who was eligible.

Another important piece of information was that the card told me what the offer contained. Short, sweet, and to the point. Five dollars off my next purchase of $15 or more of regular priced merchandise. And the card told me where to redeem the offer. They included the address of the nearest Ace Hardware. Then I found a disappointing bit of type. The card had expired.  It had lurked far too long among wads of paper and broken pencils.

As I tossed the card and several wornout pens into the trash, I compared the card to an offer God made. Just as the hardware store offered a reward to a group of people they identified as theirs, God has offered promises to His children. And He makes His offer personal. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God says, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (NIV) Notice that the forgiveness of sins and the healing of the land weren’t for everyone. It was for a select group.

Ace Hardware had told me that I had to do something if I wanted my five-dollar reward. A $15 purchase was necessary to activate the reward. Isn’t that what God said in the verse quoted above? Not the $15 part, but the condition. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves . . . “ God outlined in this verse, and all His promises, what is required of us to gain what He has promised.

Ace Hardware told me where to find my five-dollar reward. Scripture tells us “the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.’” (Genesis 15:1 NIV) And Jesus stated, “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Matthew 5:12 NIV)

The reward from the local store was a limited time offer. It’s no longer valid. Jesus told his disciples, “”Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come, “ and “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:42, 44 NIV)

The local hardware store put the offer of their reward in writing, then waited for a response from me. The Holy Scripture is God’s outline and offer of our reward. He put it in writing, both physically and spiritually upon our hearts. He is waiting for a response.

The Ace Hardware ad was a good marketing campaign. They included all the necessary information. However, God has a much better deal.

Who

Ace has my customer id # on the card. They are offering it to their customers.

God offers his promises to His children.

What

Ace promises me a reward of $5, but I have to do something first – in this case spend more money.

With God, when He promises us something, you will find you must do something first, even if that condition is the act of belief.

Where

Ace tells me where to find the local store. They tell me where I can get this reward.

God is our reward and our reward is in Heaven.

When

Ace won’t be offering this reward forever. They tell me I must act now, because it has an expiration date. (This card expired in 2009! Please don’t call me a hoarder.) Unfortunately for me, that date has come and gone. It’s too late to get in on this good deal.

God’s promise of rewards won’t last forever either. He doesn’t tell us the expiration date for us individually or as a whole. If I want in on His great promises, I need to act now.

Why?

Ace sent this notice to me in hopes of a response.

God sent a notice to me because He wants a response.

Ace wants money.

God wants me.

God Has a Better Deal – first copyright 2009 Judy Vandiver

As Christians, we are urged to have a daily devotional time with God. I asked myself if this was a Biblical command or a tradition passed down through the ages; are Bible study and devotional time interchangeable; and what is a good model for a time of devotion?

I’d like to share my thoughts regarding a good model for a time of devotions, whether it be daily, weekly, or at a time interval you and God set, a devotional time is instrumental in your worship to our Lord.

Find a time that works for you. In Mark 1:35, John Mark tells us: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (NIV)

Christ found a few moments to be alone with God early in the morning. Does this mean our devotional time needs to always be in the morning? I don’t think so. I don’t think the time of day is as important as the reason behind the time we choose. Jesus chose this time because He knew that His days were hectic and busy. He might not have another chance to get away with His Father. Surrounding verses show us that people were coming to Him all through the day and into the evenings. It’s important to note, however, that Jesus chose a time when the demands of His ministry were not at their peak.

When we choose our alone time with God, it is important to follow this example. Maybe you are not what is considered “a morning person.” I’ve always been a combination of a morning and night person. I’m a rare person that needs very little sleep and finds it difficult to sleep more than a few hours. I’m sure I was a hindrance to my own parents’ devotional time. Not only was I up late at night, but by the time their feet hit the floor in the morning, I was standing next to their bed ready to greet them into the day. And if I wasn’t there, probably one of my siblings took my place.

If your day is crowded and busy, it’s possible you may have to do as Jesus did. You may have to get up “very early” in the morning. It may be that evenings are a quieter time with fewer demands on you. If so, that may be a better time of choosing for a devotional time. What if you have a “little Judy,” that is up before you and awake long after you retire for the night? I’m sure that over the years, there were plenty of times my parents had to find a distraction for me so that I did not continue to become a distraction to them. And that is the key. Find a time that is as free of distractions as possible. As we study this verse we see that even this time for Jesus was not distraction free. But Christ took the moments offered Him within His busy schedule. He found  time. We can do the same.

Find a place where you can be alone. The second thing Jesus teaches us with this example is where He had His time to commune with God. He left the house. Okay, if as my parents did, you have four small, active, and curious children, physically leaving the house may not be an option. Especially if you are thinking of going very far. (And if you have four small children you may be thinking that very thing.)

The verse also tells us that Jesus went off to a solitary place. I don’t know that leaving the house was as important as this part of the example. They key idea is that He withdrew from others. He removed Himself from obvious distractions.

If we look at a few practical ideas of how to follow the example of Christ, what is a busy person living in the 21st century to do? Maybe you can’t go far from the house, but can you go to a front or back porch? Do you have a tree that offers quiet shelter? You don’t have to climb up in the tree; just sit in the shade it offers. If you look hard enough, you’ll find the perfect place.

I remember one year when my siblings, our spouses, and all our children converged on my parent’s home for Christmas. During the night we had bodies strewn everywhere. During the day, we ran into each other constantly. One morning Mother stood in the kitchen and made pancakes. As each plateful was done she’d call someone’s name and hand out a plate. She called my name, I grabbed my plate and tried to find an empty spot at the now crowded dining table.

As each person came i,n the chatter around the table increased. Finally Mother came into the dining room to be sure everyone had a plate of pancakes. She counted heads. “Where’s your daddy?” she asked. Everyone looked at each other. No one knew. Soon a search party, headed up by grandchildren thinking this was a game of hide-and-seek, began to look for Dad. It took us a while, but we eventually found him. My brother called us to the back porch and pointed to Dad’s old pick-up truck parked behind the house. There sat Dad, the windows rolled up on his truck and the doors locked, eating his plate of pancakes in peace and quiet. I think all the chattering, running into one another, and busyness had become more than he expected when they invited us for Christmas. The point is, however, when Dad wanted to find a quiet spot, he was inventive. If necessary, go lock yourself in your vehicle to have some quiet moments alone with God. If Dad could do this for pancakes surely we can do it for the Lord.

Of course, your quiet spot doesn’t have to truly be outside the house. Don’t lose sight of the importance here. The key element is that Christ withdrew to a place of least distractions. We’ve all heard of moms who have locked themselves in their bathrooms just to have a quiet moment. If that’s where you must have your devotions, do that. Or maybe it will be a quiet spot in your bedroom. Maybe you’ll have to literally make yourself a prayer closet. But I urge each of you to find a spot where the distractions are at a minimum, spend some time with God and talk to Him. 

One thing I want to caution as you choose your time and place for your devotions. Just as talking on a cell phone, eating and putting on makeup while you are driving can be a hazardous distraction, if you try to have your devotions while commuting to and from work, the driving will become a distraction to the devotion. I’m not saying you shouldn’t talk or listen to the Lord during this time. It’s just that I, personally, do not count this as my “alone time” with the Lord. For years, I commuted to downtown Houston for employment. I tried calling my drive time by another name—devotional time. I can tell you from personal experience it was always good to know that God rode with me, but that time did not adequately fulfill what a solitary place can do for my time with the Lord.