Baseball and life lessons...

So, I'm watching the Cubs game with my six year old son a few nights ago and they were losing bad. At one point I turned to my son and said "Why don't we turn this off and go do something else, together." Before turning off the TV, I noticed a sad look on his face. I sat the remote down, and asked him. "Do you really want to watch this? Isn't it frustrating how badly they are playing?" His response was so simple but yet so profound. "Dad, I don't care if they win or lose, I just love watching them play."

That statement resonated inside my head as we continued to watch the game. I thought about how much joy I might be stealing from his experience with my own frustration. I thought about how much better my own life would be, if I could be more like my son. I can get so caught up in what has to get done, when it's got to get done and how well I execute the task, that I sometimes miss the bigger picture. I often miss the opportunities to just enjoy life, God and those on this journey with me. I spend far too much time so frustrated with how short I fall. And, that frustration so often steals from my ability to just enjoy the journey.

I watched my son, fully engaged in the game, enjoying every moment. He would high five me when a player made a good play or got a hit. He didn't care that they were losing by eleven runs. The score just didn't matter, as far as he was concerned. He was just enjoying the game. After I tucked him into bed, I prayed as I left his room. I asked God to help me be more like that. Sure, we have to do our best and work hard to accomplish the things God has for each of us to do. But, I have to remember to also enjoy life along the way. To find balance and to occasionally relax, take a deep breath and just enjoy the game.

Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director. www.newlifemedia.org