Full Circle...



 This spring, 6 year old Spinner played TeeBall. It's relatively boring. The kids hit the ball off a tee with the coach standing beside them. The opposing team have all their little crew in the field with their coaches behind them. It's just so very different than in my days of learning and playing ball.

First of all, at 4, 5 and 6 years old there was no formal league set up. We played in the backyard and learned by trial and error... catch the ball or be smacked in the face with it. We spent hours throwing a ball through a tire, playing Run-the-Bases, throwing a rubber ball against a wall or steps and catching it, playing catch with your siblings, tossing a ball in the air and swinging a bat to hit it before the ball fell to the ground. I think the first time I was old enough to play league softball  I was 9.

This being said, back to TeeBall.When a player came up to bat, I cheered with all the other parents and grandparents. I cheered a little louder when it was Spinner's turn, of course. There was hooping and hollaring when a player stopped a ball(doesn't matter how, as long as the ball was stopped) and threw it in the direction of 1st base. There are no outs in TeeBall. Everyone gets a bat. The are 2 innings, sometimes 3 if there was enough time before the next game was to start and the parents all agreed.

When my kids were younger I coached many of their teams. The first years of their playing was coach's pitch. They learned how to time their swings and didn't really have to worry so much with the strike zone. They had coaches at every base tell them when and where to run. And my parents sat in the bleachers cheering them on. All in all, my kids learned how to play ball. Just like Spinner is learning now.

Here I am, not in charge of anything and sitting back holding my cheering signs and just enjoying watching my granddaughter run, play, make friends, have fun, and catch and hit a ball or two.
So, there I sat. Me and MomMom behind homeplate in our easy to open folding chairs.  And a memory so overwhelming hit me like a ton of bricks.

 Actually it brought tears to my eyes thinking about it. I can see myself playing shortstop and looking up to see grandpop's car coming down the long dirt road towards the ballfield .Grandmom, Grandpop and Mom would get out. Sometimes one of my aunts would also be with them. The chairs came out of the trunk and they all sat behind the backstop cheering enthusiastically during my game. I thought of my parents sitting in the stands clapping for my kids.

Life does come full circle. And when it's a circle that has been a happy one, what great enjoyment those moments in life bring!

Winter thoughts looking skyward

What a strange winter we are having. I can remember other mild winters where we maybe had only 2 weeks of straight freezing cold. This winter I think we've had a few scattered freezing days. And I don't think it's even reached the teens at all in the daytime. With the natural disasters happening in 2011 and experiencing this moderate winter has given me an urge to reflect where we are in this time of history.
My mind wanders as I remember listening to my grandparents in conversations about the return of Christ. They would talk about how scripture was being fulfilled and it could happen anytime. And this was back in the 70's. Today, I hear my 83 year old Dad thoughtfully muse if he will die or the rapture will take place first.
I have heard many preachers talk about the coming of the Lord and have listened to how they interrupt the Bible with pre, mid or post tribulation standpoint. Years ago I started  telling people I believed in pan-trib whenever the subject came up. It will all pan out in the end.
Last night I watched a show about people prepping for life changing disasters. It was quite fascinating... and a bit overwhelming. I talked with 2 of my kids about what they would do if a disaster would happen that would bring America to a standstill. They had some good thoughts.
 For myself  I believe, "My God shall supply all my needs."  "Be anxious for nothing."  "Cast all my care upon him." But I still worry and want to be prepared with my rations, equipment and knowledge.
I know God is with me always. Through the bad and good, through the easy and hard times. I also believe along with  faith that God is my supplier, he also wants me to put my faith into action. And that may be preparing for a disaster.
I am not so much concerned about me as I am for my children and grandchildren. They are all scattered. My 4 closest munchkins are about an hour from me.
I know the best way I can help my family is to grow that mountain moving mustard seed. And I know the Word and prayer are the key prepping tools I need.