9-0-1

Rachel's softball team just finished their fall ball season. The team had 9 wins, 0 losses, and 1 tie. The summer ball team (shown here) had 9 wins and 1 loss. I got to assist in coaching and it was a blast. The head coach (missed this picture) had one goal for the girls... have fun. Because of that attitude they were loose and willing to learn. They enjoyed themselves. The other assistants kept it light. A good time was had by all.

Rachel worked her way into the second pitcher spot. We really didn't need one as we have a good pitcher who could go all day long. But we wanted all the girls to play any position they wanted. So Rachel practiced and applied herself and learned to pitch. She She got pretty good at it. She had some innings where she only faced 3 or 4 batters before getting them out. She had other innings where she struggled; that was not fun to watch. Rachel was also stellar at 3rd base. She has a cannon for an arm and can hit the first baseman without an effort. She keeps her head in the game (no sandcastles in the infield dirt for her.) She lead cheers on the bench and called out where teammates should be if they were out of place. As her father I was able to watch her mature and and enjoy a game that she really applied her life to.

OK, you know it's coming, I have to make the analogy here, right. I think God, our Father, watches us from heaven. Our Father enjoys when we enjoy the game of life. Our Father thrills to see us mature in the in the game and help each other improve as well. I also think that our Father provides coaching in the form of more mature Christ followers.

Baseball... softball... and life. I knew I loved that game... and this life.