This week’s graphic shows my favorite picnic table (under the shelter) and the ball field. When I sit at this table, late at night, I see far more than what you’re able to see. The night in question, I was looking out across the ball field. Let me further set the scene. On my right is another huge softball field. Turn left at this area and you’re in a lighted volleyball court. On the left, straight across the pictured field is an area where mostly older gentlemen pitch horseshoes. Beyond the horseshoe court, just across the street, is an enormous Christmas display with loud, blaring music.Last Tuesday night, there was a family there. I guess the league games are not occurring during Christmas and New Year’s holidays. A six year old girl was pitching softballs to her Daddy. There’s slow pitch softball where the pitcher just lofts a ball in a huge arc. Fast pitch is down and drastic. The length from her “mound” to the plate had been shortened, but I watched her hum ball after ball right through the middle of the strike zone. Her Daddy was hollering encouragement after every pitch.

After awhile, Julie started batting. Remember that she’s six years old. She hit ball after ball (remember, fast pitch) way beyond second base. When they were finished, I asked her Daddy if I could speak with her. He nodded in the affirmative. That’s when I learned her name and relationship to the man who so patiently caught her pitches and pitched the ball to her when she was “at bat”.

I asked her how in the world she learned to do such a fine job at her age. Her long, blond ponytail began bobbing as she began talking in an animated manner, using both her lips AND her hands. She said, “My Daddy taught me how to pitch and hit the ball.” I asked her what secret specifically her Daddy taught her. She said, “Well, he told me to never take my eyes off the ball until the bat connected. He also taught me to imagine that I was pitching through a large pipe so the ball would cross the plate and be a strike.”

Julie is a pretty tiny gal. I was so impressed with her skills. Little things mean a lot. I didn’t make that up! (g) I read it somewhere. The little foxes in the Bible that spoiled the vine…the little lunch Jesus used to feed 12,000 or more people…the little sin that destroys a life….the little tongue that sets the world on fire. All these random thoughts flitted through my mind.

Even much more importantly, I thought a lot about what this Daddy is pouring into his daughter…things that will bear fruit all her life. Not too busy, this Daddy. Giving good advice, this Daddy. Does it make you hungry to spend more time learning from YOUR Daddy who is in Heaven?

What comes to your mind? I’d like to hear from you. Just use the “Leave a Reply” box below!

SOME SELECTED RESPONSES TO “I DIDN’T GO A WASSAILING”

(Some of the responses are a bit personal and a bit praisy, but I thought what was written needed to be included. I usually remove personal compliments, etc.)

– That was a great message, Jerry, I can just picture you doing that. It sounds great. I wish I had been there to sing with you, too. When we lived in Florida, we did that. The mobile home park where we lived really got into decorating. It was wonderful.

– Merry Christmas…PapaJ. We Tennesseans have always known …or suspected you were a little demented. Now there is no doubt (just kidding). We enjoyed your caroling tale and are just glad you didn’t get to sing carols in the jail with with County Mounty…ha.

– Thanks for your stories. The caroling one gave me a lift this a.m. and I sure needed it. I’m tired, tired, tired – physically (staying up late to do all the Christmas stuff) and mentally (trying to figure out how to stretch money to cover all the gift bases for the children and grandchildren). I’m thankful you are going to get your house fixed.

– You really invent you own adventures with the Lord, don’t you? I enjoyed the Christmas Caroling Story. I wish I had half the sense of adventure that you have! There is a spiritual lesson in the caroling story. You shared your “joy in the Lord” with many people that night. Sharing joy is a wonderful gif t. Maybe some of the people stopped to think about what Christmas is really about.

– Don’t look for any spiritual significance?!!! My brother, Papa Jerry, I saw so much of God and His love in this story it made me tear up and put a lump in my throat. I think of all the souls you reached that night. You weren’t worried about the cold or having to go around in your motorized chair, you just wanted to celebrate the birth of our Savior and share it with others.

    Everyone you sang with felt the joy; everyone who heard you had to have felt it also. Jesus was right there with you, listening and enjoying the love. Christmas carols definitely spread the Gospel. Those who took the time to stop and sing with you made their faith be known also. You gave folks a chance to share their love of the season. Without Christ, the season would be nothing and your going out that cold night in a wheelchair shows this. Most definitely I got a lot of spiritual significance from this.

– I don’t know if I would have the courage you do to go out into the cold night. The singing and interacting with people would be fun, but that cold is really nasty for me. What a wimp! Right? Actually, your story challenged me in some rather profound ways. What a blessing you were as you fulfilled your mission for the night. I’ll bet that God won’t let the gift go by without doing even more. It is kind of hard to out give Him, but His timing can be interesting.

– I thoroughly enjoyed your story – if only more people did such spo ntaneous actions for the Lord! Merry Christmas to you and yours.

– Merry Christmas, Jerry! Your story warmed my heart and lifted my spirits. I don’t know that I got any spiritual “nuggets” out of your piece, but I have a feeling there are things working in my heart that haven’t reached my head…yet.

    I believe that music is closer to the way we will communicate with God when we get to heaven than any other way we have here on earth, and I wish I lived closer to you. I’d love to go caroling with you! I probably won’t wander the gravel roads near my house to sing (the houses are pretty far apart), but I will be singing in church on Christmas Eve.

– I have to say, Jerry, I was amused by your piece. Frankly, I can’t picture anyone putting a cup of pop in a microwave but I guess there are those who do that. And a cop singing a Christmas carol, boy, where does that occur?

– Thanks for the heartwarming sharing. I’m so thankful that you are doing what you do! Letting the Lord use you wherever you are…and then being bold enough to share it with others….you encourage me o-so-much! I’m so thankful that your children and the grandkids will be visiting over the holidays.