Week of April 22, 2009
Rosemary S.

"The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;"
     Song of Solomon 2:12

This is certainly an appropriate verse for the past week or two. Birds are indeed singing as the morning dawns on another day. Trees are beginning to turn green, flowers are popping up from the ground and appearing on trees -- beautiful, even though allergy aggravating! In our back yard, in a long-defunct chicken house foundation, we have kept box turtles since we moved here more than 30 years ago. We brought the first two from our house on the other side of town, and over the years, we have become the "wild turtle" refuge for people who find the creatures stranded in the middle of highways or parking fields. For many years, the neighborhood nursery made field trips each spring to "see the turtles." The tiny tots squealed with delight as they carefully held the wiggly, shelled reptiles, and often brought parents back to visit on another day. Now, occasionally, a grown nursery school alumni will bring his or her children to visit -- recalling o their own tiny tot the joys of discovery. It is not truly spring until we see the first turtle of the season, and our own children often vied for the honor of announcing that, "the turtles are out!"

Spring, with all its beauty and grandeur, also heralds the beginning of the baseball season. As I was going through my computer files, I came across a piece that someone had sent via e-mail a couple of years ago. Considering the fact that Pastor Bartholomew is leading an Adult Forum series on GRACE, it seemed appropriate to include this in my devotion for the week.

THE GOD'S BASEBALL GAME

Bob was dreaming that he and God stood by to observe a baseball game. God's team was playing Satan's team. God's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs.

They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate whose name was Love. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because Love never fails.

The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.

The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly Wisdom never swings at Satan's pitches.

The bases were loaded. God then turned to Bob and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Bob said he sure did not look like much! Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen.

But Satan was not worried; his center fielder, the Prince of the air, let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground; then it continued over the fence for a home run!

God's team won. God then asked Bob if he knew why Love, Faith and Godly Wisdom could get on base but could not win the game. Bob answered that he did not know why. God explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game, you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, faith and wisdom will get you on base, but only My Grace can get you home!

Dear God, help me to appreciate the beauty of your creation. Help me also to remember that it is your grace alone that will lead me to the beauty of everlasting life. Amen

Contributed by Rosemary S.
Published Monday April 22, 2002
Week 21 of Liturgical Year A