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
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
Comments:
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Julie- Two things-
1. Most of the time when He shows up He comments (unlike some readers of your blog)
2. From my experience, He often shows up looking like you.
a friend on the journey
tim
1. Most of the time when He shows up He comments (unlike some readers of your blog)
2. From my experience, He often shows up looking like you.
a friend on the journey
tim
# posted by 
: 7:58 AM
: 7:58 AM
Julie, that's so true about how we always draw our conclusions based on the first-person perspective. Unfortunately, it's the one we're taught to use mostly, and we have to unlearn this.
I like tim's comment above, particularly item 2... which is what draws people like me to your blog. :) When I'm struggling with my faith, it's cool to read your thoughts and perspectives, which I find very refreshing.
Thanks
I like tim's comment above, particularly item 2... which is what draws people like me to your blog. :) When I'm struggling with my faith, it's cool to read your thoughts and perspectives, which I find very refreshing.
Thanks
Jennifer -
I know you are in no postition to read my reply since you're off in some exotic location enjoying yourself. Maybe He followed you there.
Tim -
I've made peace with the fact that you don't always comment. You can't teach some people manners!
I think He often shows up looking like you too.
Chris -
HI! It's nice to hear from you! I miss you on Word Search.
Thank you for your encouraging words.
I know you are in no postition to read my reply since you're off in some exotic location enjoying yourself. Maybe He followed you there.
Tim -
I've made peace with the fact that you don't always comment. You can't teach some people manners!
I think He often shows up looking like you too.
Chris -
HI! It's nice to hear from you! I miss you on Word Search.
Thank you for your encouraging words.
There's a song we sing in our church which goes...It's all about you... Jesus.."
Yes, you're right. Good analogy.
Hey, if He can follow the Keasts all round the world... keeping track of Jen would be a breeze, no matter how exotic the location!
Fay's 60th on Monday 26 June. We'll be in Olympia, WA (we think).
Yes, you're right. Good analogy.
Hey, if He can follow the Keasts all round the world... keeping track of Jen would be a breeze, no matter how exotic the location!
Fay's 60th on Monday 26 June. We'll be in Olympia, WA (we think).
I don't visit, I don't comment, I don't send flowers...
Another thing is when someone shows up somewhere unexpected. Witness the boy who knows someone from baseball and runs into the person again at soccer - what's that person doing here? A sadder example is the day that I ran into our dog groomer while shopping - because she didn't smell like dog, I didn't recognize her.
Another thing is when someone shows up somewhere unexpected. Witness the boy who knows someone from baseball and runs into the person again at soccer - what's that person doing here? A sadder example is the day that I ran into our dog groomer while shopping - because she didn't smell like dog, I didn't recognize her.
Keasty - No reason to be embarassed. :O)
Rev-Ed - I wonder how often I miss or ignore Him. ? .
OE - No worries about infrequent visits or comments. I've been meaning to have a word with you about the flowers though!
I have often had similar experiences to your dog groomer story (but usually they aren't as smelly).
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Rev-Ed - I wonder how often I miss or ignore Him. ? .
OE - No worries about infrequent visits or comments. I've been meaning to have a word with you about the flowers though!
I have often had similar experiences to your dog groomer story (but usually they aren't as smelly).
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