ballgame Archives - Flannel with Faith

“…he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
Psalms 23:3

A Manic Monday, a Tidbit Tuesday, and a Wordless Wednesday? Where did the week go? Today, a thankful Thursday! Rain and renewal, good times and grace. A ballfield and beliefs-a Farmer’s Market and Fair. How can I not be thankful?

Just like the rain, the memories soak me.

“The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays freight both ways.”
John F. Kennedy

Farmer’s Markets are the jam. Downtowns and courthouses. Local meat and munchies. Homegrown vegetables and other varieties. Families mingle through the booths and admire the talents of locals. It was a perfect way to start a Saturday! Do you love farmer’s markets? From there we drove to the pet shop. Owned by a couple, the matching log buildings hosted many critters, and the fish were waiting! So was a TINY African frog. He was too cute to refuse! It was time to go back with our Farmer’s Market find and fish! One guppie, two guppies, …NO puppies…and an itsy-bitsy frog named Statue (I love the minds of 3-year-olds—particularly THIS one).

“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.”
Yogi Berra

“Can you tell us the best way to get to the early bird ticket gate?” I asked. “Jump in, I’ll take you there.” The thoughtful man drove us right to the gate! We were dropped off like celebrities only to find out that ONE ticket was the early bird. How did WE get to the front so fast? I smiled. High humidity didn’t spoil the fun. The Cardinals vs. the Royals—a Missouri split. My mind drifted to divisions in our state during the Civil War. The smells, sites, and sounds quickly reset my brain. Mizzou music, cheers, food, drinks, and the crack of the bat-time ran as fast as sweat. With BIG claps to God (and some for the Cardinals 😉), I made it to the 7^th inning stretch. “Take me out to the Ballgame” echoed through the stadium. Hmm., I thought to myself, “I wonder what it would sound like if we all sang “Amazing Grace!” I imagined J.C. himself up to bat, of course, a homerun would be hit and the whole stadium would be awed. Quickly, I was “reset” to reality. All while smiling about my thoughts (and admiring the cutie sitting next to me).

7th inning stretch at the Kaufmann Stadium-K.C.

“Charlotte,” said Wilbur. “We’re all going home today. The Fair is almost over. Won’t it be wonderful to be back home in the barn cellar again with the sheep and the geese? Aren’t you anxious to get home?”
E.B. White–Charlotte’s Web

It started lightly. Surely it wouldn’t be crowded with rain in the forecast. The wet became wetter. With appropriate “gear,” we maneuvered to the Midway. Aww, the smell of the cow manure and the pigs hit me before the corn dogs and cotton candy. Where was MY mind? Of course, I thought of Charlotte’s Web, looking for wordy webs in the corners of the muddy stalls. Mesmerized, I watched her giggle when the rare deer bit her raincoat. The smiles on all their faces became my sunshine. The zebra was a great sign—but there were mixed feelings about it being there. I whispered, “Thank you and I’m sorry” as I left to see the baby goats. The little train, my perfect little partner and her parents, the Ferris Wheel, and the carousel. Faith at the fair.

Her fearlessness as she sat in the race car going ’round and ’round reminded me of faith like a child. Through the mud, heavy rain, and the ride home all I could muster was, “Thank you, God.” Just like I’ve written before, everything seemed more than ordinary miracles.

Do you feel thankful? Are your thoughts thwarted by threats? Perhaps you can’t FEEL thoughtful if life seems loose. Would more money make you thankful? A better job? A different living situation? Better health? Many things can threaten our thankfulness. But for me, now…

…my fear is fading with faithful prayers. Comfort is created through calm and collected. Rationality is realized with resiliency and reminders. It’s not easy; sometimes a high price is paid. Yet, I know, the ultimate price has ALREADY BEEN PAID. Do you believe better things are coming? Are you hanging by a thread or jumping with joy? Are you dreading your days or dreaming of differences? Can you let go of perfection and paddle with the possibilities? Will you close the chapter that continues to choke? Will you manifest the maturity that matters? What is distracting a divine direction?

Friends, looking forward to adventures, near or far, gives me hope between appointments and treatments. This past weekend I was able to visit my youngest son and his family. Those who know me understand my need to “hit the road” to see them all. Truly, your prayers propel my persistence. The timing always works because I’m completely and utterly dependent on God. I’m using wisdom to walk and reality to rest. Future trips are planned, and miracles are working in the background. In the meantime, I have upcoming tests and a possible breakthrough! Excitement is building in me faster than these tricky tumors.

For me, it’s God or nothing. All else fails. I can’t help but be thankful.