Good morning! We went to a minor league baseball game last night with our baseball family and had such a great time! Josh hung out with his teammates and his cousin who came along for the weekend.
Every time we go to a game he does what any young boy who loves baseball does – brings his glove in hopes of have a player throw him a ball between innings or catching a foul ball during one of the at bats.
At first, he was so excited and ran over to where the left fielder was warming up in between every inning. As time went on, he was less and less enthusiastic and his hopes of getting a ball were completely crushed. Towards the end of the game, he wasn’t even going over to try because he knew he wasn’t going to get a ball.
His whole demeanor changed throughout the course of 9 innings of baseball all because he didn’t get a ball. When we got back to the hotel room I had to have a quick conversation with him letting him know that his attitude and behavior was wrong. I explained that most kids that go to a ball game do not leave with a baseball. It is normal to go to a game and walk away with nothing.
As our conversation continued, I tried to show him how he let his desire and expectation of getting a ball dictate his behavior throughout the night. It wasn’t wrong for him to want to get a ball, but it wasn’t ok that he allowed it to put a damper on his night. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like he was crying or anything, but you could visibly see he was aggravated.
The same thing can happen to us when we don’t get our way. We begin to see others getting things that we want and think that it’s unfair. We allow our circumstances in addition to our unrealistic expectations determine whether or not we will be happy, friendly, kind, and hopeful. It’s not bad to want things, but when we allow those things to control our attitudes and behaviors we have allowed their influence become greater than that of God’s Word.
Let’s do our best to allow our influence to come from God so that it has an impact on everything we do. We have opportunities every single day to apply God’s Word in our daily lives. Let’s not allow our circumstances deter us from living for Jesus!
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:11-13
Heavenly Father, thank You for having everything we could ever need. Forgive us for looking elsewhere for satisfaction and purpose. Help us to draw what we need from You and learning to be content in every circumstance. In Jesus Name – AMEN!
Be Transformed 