sometimes reluctant
Friday, June 16, 2006
Boys
I've been spending quite a bit of time at a local boy scout day camp. The weather has been glorious! The boys have been shooting with various implements: slingshot, BB gun, catapault, bow... They've done other things too, but if given the chance, they'd tell you about shooting. Good times.
I've noticed this week that three hundred fifty boys in the same place is a dynamic phenomenon. You never know what to expect. This is part of the fun.
While hanging out with a nine-year-old boy scout yesterday, I remembered that last year, he was on Luke's baseball team. Nick was memorable because he ran SOOOO FAST around the bases, and because he was difficult to pitch to (he was a little smaller than average).
In our community, 7 and 8 year old boys play 'Coach Pitch.' The coach throws pitches to his own team, in such a way that encourages hitting, which is helpful for those with emerging skills. My husband pitched last year for Luke's team. Nick was fun to watch because if he made contact at all, he was standing on base first before the other team knew what happened. Zoom! How'd he get over there?
Almost immediately after baseball season ended, soccer kicked off. (I know. Bad pun.) Nick was on Luke's soccer team too. When we arrived for the first practice, my husband (former-baseball-pitcher) greeted Nick with a big 'hello!' He felt familiar since they had just finished baseball season. Oddly, Nick did not answer. He looked shocked, and I overheard him say, "That's creepy .... Luke's dad is following me!"
I'm sure he eventually put it together that Luke's dad was present because Luke was on the same team, but I think Nick's thinking is not so unusual. We show up in life with an attitude that says, "I'm here, so this must be about me!" Then we draw silly conclusions based on this flawed assumption.
In my spiritual walk, I know I've done this. I've thought my spiritual journey was about making me a better person. Or, helping me deal with difficult situations. Or break bad habits. Or whatever. Actually, it's not about me at all. It's about glorifying God.
And He's always showing up. ¶ 8:48 AM 9 comments
I've been spending quite a bit of time at a local boy scout day camp. The weather has been glorious! The boys have been shooting with various implements: slingshot, BB gun, catapault, bow... They've done other things too, but if given the chance, they'd tell you about shooting. Good times.
I've noticed this week that three hundred fifty boys in the same place is a dynamic phenomenon. You never know what to expect. This is part of the fun.
While hanging out with a nine-year-old boy scout yesterday, I remembered that last year, he was on Luke's baseball team. Nick was memorable because he ran SOOOO FAST around the bases, and because he was difficult to pitch to (he was a little smaller than average).
In our community, 7 and 8 year old boys play 'Coach Pitch.' The coach throws pitches to his own team, in such a way that encourages hitting, which is helpful for those with emerging skills. My husband pitched last year for Luke's team. Nick was fun to watch because if he made contact at all, he was standing on base first before the other team knew what happened. Zoom! How'd he get over there?
Almost immediately after baseball season ended, soccer kicked off. (I know. Bad pun.) Nick was on Luke's soccer team too. When we arrived for the first practice, my husband (former-baseball-pitcher) greeted Nick with a big 'hello!' He felt familiar since they had just finished baseball season. Oddly, Nick did not answer. He looked shocked, and I overheard him say, "That's creepy .... Luke's dad is following me!"
I'm sure he eventually put it together that Luke's dad was present because Luke was on the same team, but I think Nick's thinking is not so unusual. We show up in life with an attitude that says, "I'm here, so this must be about me!" Then we draw silly conclusions based on this flawed assumption.
In my spiritual walk, I know I've done this. I've thought my spiritual journey was about making me a better person. Or, helping me deal with difficult situations. Or break bad habits. Or whatever. Actually, it's not about me at all. It's about glorifying God.
And He's always showing up. ¶ 8:48 AM 9 comments
Monday, June 05, 2006
Insufficient Effort
I confess that I am aware of my inadequacy. I know I am not a good blogger.
If I was a good blogger, I would provide entertainment, wit and insight regularly - maybe even daily. As it stands, I’m on the once a month plan (and wit and insight could be questionable). With this frequency, I’m surprised you stop by at all.
I have had several encounters with the sacred that I have not yet recorded. I don’t want to forget what I learned, so I’ll be writing soon.
(There! I said it. Now I have to do it!) ¶ 10:37 AM 7 comments
If I was a good blogger, I would provide entertainment, wit and insight regularly - maybe even daily. As it stands, I’m on the once a month plan (and wit and insight could be questionable). With this frequency, I’m surprised you stop by at all.
I have had several encounters with the sacred that I have not yet recorded. I don’t want to forget what I learned, so I’ll be writing soon.
(There! I said it. Now I have to do it!) ¶ 10:37 AM 7 comments
