Lessons Learned from T-Ball

Imagine this poignant moment in sports. The baseball team dressed in their brand new uniforms are seated in the dugout, just before their first game. All eyes are on me, the coach. I'm reminding them of the importance of being focused on the doing the things we have practiced. When a hand goes up and one of the players asks, "Coach Ellis, when do we get refreshments?"

That's one of the joys of coaching a T-Ball team. T-Ball is an introductory level of baseball for five and six year old children. It' all about instruction and having fun. Teaching the kids the basics of baseball is the goal, but I've learned a few things, myself, being the coach of the "Gladewater A's." Things that are important in life and our faith.

1. Focus on the Basics...We don't talk baseball strategy or philosophy in T-Ball, we deal with the basics of baseball: throwing, catching, hitting and running. Five and six year olds can't turn double plays or hit to the opposite field. They have to learn "how to do" the basics before they can attempt advanced baseball stuff. For example, you must keep your eyes open, if you hope to catch the ball. Simple, but important. The same is true in your Christian life. You can't develop in our faith, if we don't read our Bible, attend worship, pray, serve others or share our faith. Those are basics that provide the foundation of our faith throughout our lives.

2. Don't Assume Others Understand what you are Talking About... In our first practice, I was letting the kids hit off the "Tee," and run the bases. Some of my players didn't know where to go when I told them, "Run to First Base." Even basic baseball terminology like "dugout," "shortstop", and "right field,is like a foreign language to them. As coaches, we have to be patient, specific and often show them what we want them to do. The same is true when we share Christ with others. Words like "saved," "Christian," and "redeemed" are familiar words to mature Christians, but for many who have no church background, they are roadblocks to understanding the gospel. So we must learn to be patient, communicate on their level and be more demonstrative in our witness for Christ. With T-Ballers, its "Show and Tell," you show them how and then explain it. Isn't that what sharing Christ with others is all about?

3. Live in the Moment... Five and six year olds don't have very long attention spans. They live in the moment. They don't think about championships at the end of the season. They think about sno-cones at the end of the game. They are not worried about being down by 7 runs, they just want to know when they bat next. Sometimes, your left fielder is watching an airplane fly overhead, as the ball rolls by his feet. Sometimes they forget to run, because they are waving at Mom and Dad. It isn't a priority to one of them that he is on third base and about to score a run, when he has to go to the bathroom, right NOW. T-Ballers live in the moment. In life, sometimes we forget to live in the moment. We so often get so caught up in "winning the game" that loose sight of just enjoying the experience. Even, as Christians we become so preoccupied with pursuing even our spiritual goals, that we miss enjoying what God is doing around us and in the lives of others.

My team of five and six year olds are learning a little about baseball, but their "old coach" is learning a few things from them. The next time, my center fielder is picking flowers off the clover in the outfield instead of chasing after the ball, I'll try not to get frustrated. Because he is picking those flowers to give to his mom. And when you think about it, which is REALLY more important?

Our "Children in the Faith"

During the Christmas holidays, I discovered "Facebook." I know some of you are thinking "Where have you been?" Unfortunately, I have been slow to embrace the internet world of the computer generation. "Facebook" has been a blessing on several levels. It's allowed me to re-connect with friends from high school and college days. I've caught up with former staff members and their families. But the greatest joy of my newest discovery is the opportunity to reconnect with some of my "children in the faith."

The apostle Paul referred to Timothy as his son in the faith. (1 Timothy 1:2) Though he was not a biological child of his, Paul was like a father to Timothy, as he served as his mentor in the faith.

In my 30 years of pastoral ministry and the 10 years of youth ministry prior to that I have been privileged to lead many to faith in Christ and have been privileged to help them grow in their relationship with God. They have been my "children in the faith."Over the years, as they have moved on to other places or when God moved me to another assignment, we would become disconnected. I would often wonder where some of my "children in the faith" were and how they were doing. You can't imagine the joy when I got the email saying "Alison and John _______ have requested to be your friend on "Facebook." It had be almost 15 years since we have seen or heard from them.

Alison and John were a young newly married couple from the Northeast. John was in the Air Force and was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, LA where I pastored. I had the privilege to be their pastor during their short stay in Bossier City. They were such a blessing to me and my wife, they weren't much older than our children, so we saw them as our kids. We spent some wonderful times together. I baptized them and watched them grow. Then they were gone. The Air Force gave John another assignment and we lost touch. Until Facebook...."Yes, it's really me!" was Alison entry on the email. She found us...and we have found her and John. They are happily married, with 3 children of their own. Alison is a professional photographer and John has a great job as well. They live in New Hampshire. But more importantly, they are still faithful followers of Christ continuing what began many years ago. God is now using them to touch lives where they live and work. Nothing brings greater joy to my heart.

As I am in the autumn of my life and ministry, it is great to see that God occasionally allows us to see the fruit of our labors. Alison and John are "my children in the faith," and they are continuing to pass the faith in Christ along to their children and to others that I will never meet. It is just a reminder that my job is to faithfully serve the Lord, and leave the results up to Him. But it sure is neat to see the faces of your "kids" on your "Facebook," and know that God is still at work.