Safe at Home

Baseball, perhaps more than any other major sport in the US, is identified as Americana. I grew up hearing the jingle “Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet” which the car manufacturer hoped to engrain as what proud Americans should hold dear. It’s made a lasting impression on me! Baseball may have been the best choice in this campaign over the other major sports, has any other sports integrated their vernacular into the daily speech as much as baseball?

When someone helps you out,
they went to bat for you.
When someone does a lot to get a job done,
they stepped up to the plate.
When someone doesn’t do well,
they struck out.
When someone does really well,
they hit a home run.
When someone steps in if you’re having trouble,
they pinch hit for you.
When someone tries to fool you,
they threw you a curve ball.
When someone does fool you,
they got one by you.
When someone does a fantastic job,
they hit one out of the park.
When someone makes the wrong decision,
they made a bad call.
When someone just barely does something correctly,
they just slid by.
When someone is a tough negotiator,
they’re playing hardball.
http://blogs.timesunion.com/bethlehem/215

In the next room I can hear the Japanese team playing the Koreans in the finals of the World Baseball Classic. In this tournament, one would assume that the US had an advantage, both in skill and location, and might go so far as to assume that their place in the finals was concrete. This is where the best from all countries come to earn credibility in professional baseball. But instead of an automatic write-in, the US was eliminated in the semi-finals, and even more crushing, in an earlier bracket, their game was stopped early because the other country was so far ahead in the score. How does this happen? It is OUR sport after all.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God , you are the great equalizer. In your care, not one thing is given more esteem than another. We begin to think that gifts you have placed in our care belong to us, which immediately places us above another. We begin to think we have more insight into your word, are more attuned to your song, and are more privileged to your mission. Let others stand aside! As we puff our chests in pride at being your favored child, we stand bewildered as you make room for more. Yet, before we can complain, we notice the warmth of your presence has not changed, the pressure in the small of our back has not lessened, and the generous light has not waned. You want us to be near - near to you, near to our neighbor, and near to our rival, so you call us to come closer still. Let us relinquish ours for yours. Amen.