One of the things that tells me we are in the middle of summer is baseball. Of course, there is the heat, the afternoon thunderstorms, and, if we are lucky, a trip to the beach. Scripture reminds us that “for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1), and summer certainly brings its own distinct rhythm of life and memory.

I remember playing Little League baseball during my early growing-up years. I started my first season playing third base because I was one of the only guys on my team who could make the throw from third to first. I then moved to catcher. My final year, I played second base. Later, in high school, I played left field or center field because I was fast and could cover the ground.

I liked catcher the best. Back in those days, my legs never got tired, and my knees didn’t ache and pop when I bent. I liked playing catcher because there was always something happening. That should have been a clue that I had ADD (attention deficit disorder). When I was a kid, there were no accommodations for kids with ADD; I just had to learn to sit still. What a reminder that God guides us through every stage of our physical and personal growth, sometimes teaching us patience and endurance in unexpected ways.

This spring, I had renewed excitement about the baseball season when my grandson started playing “coach pitch.” I knew summer was arriving when he took the field. Then on Father’s Day, I drove to Atlanta and met my son’s family (including my baseball-playing grandson) for a Braves game. It was a lovely day.

The game itself was disappointing for the Braves, as they lost 9-2 after the Milwaukee Brewers scored 8 runs in the second inning. The only real excitement for the home team was when a new Brave went to bat in the ninth inning and hit a solo home run. None of us cared much about the score, though; we were there as a family and had a wonderful time. Proverbs 17:6 tells us that “grandchildren are the crown of the aged,” and watching the next generation run the bases after the game with their dad and uncle running right alongside them was a vivid reminder of the joy found in family fellowship.

Kirkwood residents enjoyed fellowship over a Braves baseball game during a recent overnight trip to Atlanta. Only about two hours from Birmingham, Atlanta serves as the perfect weekend getaway, and the group enjoyed sights, shopping, dinner, and the game. This time, the Braves won with the help of five home runs!

While baseball is an American pastime that marks the summer for many, this summer brought a new energy around soccer to America with the World Cup. Stadiums were filled. Many spectators traveled from their home countries to watch in person, cheer on, and support their teams. I loved the sense of community that people from all over the world shared during the tournament. I loved watching the competition on the field, the sportsmanship and post-game handshakes and hugs between opposing teams, and the personal stories of the players (like a legendary 39-year-old competing against an 18-year-old star on another team).

Like the Olympics, the World Cup happens every four years. It is fierce competition, but the competitors show profound respect for each other, recognizing how fortunate they are to be among the elite.

As a community of faith, we are called to a similar standard of grace and unity. Romans 12:10 encourages us to “outdo one another in showing honor.” Whether on an athletic field, in an office, in a communal living space, or within our own homes, it is important to respect our differences and honor one another’s unique talents and accomplishments. May we carry a spirit of hospitality, fellowship, joy, and mutual respect into our days ahead. Maybe most especially in the South as we enter the next season – American football season.

Peace,

Cary