Today I was reminded of a story I once read about a little boy who happened to be a ball player, I want to share it with you.
The story was about a young boy who was playing in the Little League World Series; his team was losing 20-0. This was not a very fun thing for a little boy. They had already lost one game and this game, which was an obvious loss, would eliminate them from the rest of the tournament.
As the little boys walked into the dugout they were all in tears. One little boy, with tears streaming down his face had to go up to bat. As the little boy approached the plate his father came up to him and asked him a question; he said ‘do you want to do this crying or with joy?’ The little boy decided to do it with joy.
What did he do?? He began to dance. As he walked back to the dugout, he danced. When he was in the outfield he danced. Before he knew it everyone was laughing and the loser atmosphere had totally changed. He just kept right on dancing.
Did they win? No, but they did score three points after he stopped crying and began to dance, I can only imagine what would have happened if they had that attitude of joy from the very beginning. But that’s not even the point, the point is at the worst time imaginable, he decided to dance, to be happy and enjoy life, regardless of what he was facing at the moment.
The little boy said that his father told him to enjoy himself, so he did. How simple.
Did you realize our Father has told us the same thing? Jesus said ‘I came that you might have life and enjoy it to the full.’ Do you enjoy life every day?
Let’s look at the scripture in John 10:10, the Amplified Bible says it like this; The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance to the full, till it overflows.
I must say, I don’t know many Christians who are enjoying life to the point that it overflows, do you?
I know there are times and situations that are challenging, but are you enjoying life, the life that Jesus came to give you?
I think for most people the answer would be no. I think we go about working and taking care of all our responsibilities and forget that part of the reason Jesus came is so that we would enjoy life. Of course we are supposed to take care of our family, but we are also to enjoy them. We are supposed to enjoy life, to the full, until we literally overflow.
Many people think they will enjoy life when…they have more money…or a better job…or when their kids stop acting up. This is not true, if you can’t enjoy life in the midst of it, you won’t enjoy it when everything changes either. You must learn to enjoy it right in the midst of all the chaos, just like the little boy in my story.
I am so glad that Bryson and Brailee are in my life. Bryson makes me laugh on a daily basis, he is a hoot and if anyone is sad around him he will do whatever it takes to make you laugh. His mom was always like that too. And Brailee, she is a treasure.
One of my favorite things lately is when they spend the night with Nana. Just before bed Brailee will say ‘are we going to do our bible study now?’ Then she, I, and Bryson pile up on my bed with bibles, notepads and highlighters and look up scriptures and talk about them together. It has become precious to me. It is something I am sowing into my grandchildren that I hope they remember for years to come.
At first I had to pry them away from their games, but now, they enjoy this time with Nana. It’s not a big thing and sometimes they argue with one another or Braileee wants to read her scripture ‘stories’ loudly while Bryson and I are talking about his scripture, which can be quite annoying, but still….I ENJOY those times than words can say.
The Bible says ‘this is the day that the Lord has made, we should rejoice and be glad in it.’ That word ‘glad’ literally means to make glad. Sometimes joy and gladness doesn’t come naturally, sometimes you have to make yourself be glad.
My friends, we have every reason to rejoice and enjoy life, regardless of what challenges we face, we serve a mighty God, who will never leave us nor forsake us. Who will never fail us, who will not allow His word to return void in our life, who loved us so much that He gave His only Son for us. For that reason alone we should enjoy life.
Wouldn’t it be sad for someone to live on this earth for 80 years and never know joy? Wouldn’t it be sad if they did not take one day and enjoy the life that God has given them? I think it would be incredibly sad.
If it looks like you are losing the game, dance in the dugout.
If it looks like everything is stacked against you, dance anyway. If you have been feeling depressed or confused, dance before the Lord with all your might. Take a few minutes today and dance before the Lord. Enjoy life and just have fun.
I am reminded of Bryson when he was two years old. I would be sitting at my desk, working, listening to praise music.
Suddenly he would jump up on my desk and begin to dance. He would say ‘that music just makes me dance, Nana.’ It is my prayer for you that something will ‘make you dance today.’
Praise stops the enemy. The dance will change the atmosphere. Dance before the Lord today, praise Him with abandon and watch the outcome change.
