My son just started playing Miracle League baseball. Last weekend I watched his game and was filled with delight. The smile on his face as he batted and ran the bases was contagious. The other players were just as enjoyable to watch–so much enthusiasm and pure joy.
The players were a very diverse group of kids, ranging in ages from about 5 to 20 and having various physical and mental challenges. Some had amazing hits and seemed like they had been playing for years. Others could barely swing a bat. Some were able to run the bases unassisted, while others were in wheelchairs or needed guidance even to know where to go. But no matter what the skill of the player, all the spectators cheered loudly for each and every player. Every single time a player’s bat made contact with the ball, the crowd yelled in excitement. The cheering had nothing to do with the result of the hit; it was simply a way to encourage each player. Nobody criticized a player or told him how he needed to do something differently. No one was frustrated by a player who had to try ten times to hit the ball. There was no competition or division. (We didn’t even keep score.) A single mission unified the group of people who gathered at the field that day–to love and support those players as they did their very best to play baseball!
As my family and I watched and enjoyed this beautiful scene, my dad leaned over and said, “This is how God sees us.” Such true wisdom. God is not sitting on a throne in judgment, thinking about how we need to do things differently. He is not comparing us to others, thinking that we need to be like that other person over there. He is not expecting us to achieve a certain outcome.
God is simply delighted in us and is cheering for us. He is hopeful and encouraging. He is our biggest fan. God knows well our “disabilities,” and He is excited by our achievements, no matter how small or insignificant they may seem. He knows how big they really are.
I think each one of us has moments or areas in our lives where we feel “disabled,” when we feel like we just can’t seem to achieve a result, master a skill, or conquer a problem. Often our best effort seems so far from success that we struggle to see any reason to cheer. We feel like that player who has just struck out.
We’re not only hard on ourselves but also hard on other people as well. We get frustrated with friends and family members who keep making the same mistakes. We become irritated because our expectations go unmet. And we kick people out of our lives and off our team simply because their “disability” is making our lives harder or keeping us from achieving a certain result.
In short, often we treat each other as if we are all professional major league baseball players who should be perfect. In reality, we are all players with various disabilities simply trying to make it through the next inning. If only we could see each other and ourselves how God sees us.
Friends, take a moment to imagine the scene I described at the Miracle League baseball game. Try to feel the warmth of camaraderie and encouragement and breathe in the air of complete joy. At the same time, push out of your mind the stress and frustration that comes with competition and expectations. Find a way to harness this feeling and live life in this beautiful place of unity, peace, and delight. Give yourself a break and applaud the efforts you are making, even if you’re not “hitting it out of the ballpark.” Give others a break as well, recognizing that they may be trying to overcome “disabilities” that you don’t even know exist in their lives.
Above all, recognize God’s complete love and delight in you. He knows you well and is never surprised by your achievements or failures. He sees you just as you are and cherishes you. Each time you “get up to bat,” He has a big smile on his face and is cheering for you. Keep this vision of God in your head and allow yourself to bask in the warmth of God’s love. He is your biggest fan!
Growing By Surprise 