Sanctification on the Bleachers

This weekend was Isaac's first All-Star baseball Tournament of the year. We're in for a long summer.

I'm not sure if there exists a place where parents get more passionate about their kids than on the bleachers. The woman sitting behind me during our last game was particularly spirited. Or just plain obnoxious. She made it a point to loudly announce every error to the whole crowd and yell and scream as to what the player should have done differently. And apparently the using of God's name in vain about a dozen different times was supposed to encourage our boys to make smarter plays. I was just a bit angry.

Then she crossed the line.

Isaac made a bad decision on a play from 3rd and this woman decided she needed to let him know she noticed (and anyone else within a mile or so radius). Have I told you about Mother Bear? Because Mother Bear was just about to make an appearance. This woman was within smacking distance, you know. And OH, how I wanted to. I felt myself begin to go into out-of-body-mother-bear-mode, when I looked down and felt my friend, who was quietly sitting down on the bench in front of me, gently stroking my ankle, as if to say, "I know, Kati. It's okay. Let it go. It's not worth it." And somehow, the peace of God shut my mouth, and prevented me from venting the way my flesh really wanted to. I can not even tell you how close I came to making a scene. We are talking about my boy here, after all.

We ended up losing the game, placing a trophy-less 4th in the tournament. My easy-going son went to bed this evening with smile on his face, not bothered at all by the outcome. I'm sure not all the boys on the team went to bed so peacefully, as some are being taught by their parents that winning a baseball game is right up there with life and death.

It is frustrating to be surrounded by this. Yet, how would the Christian be sanctified if we were surrounded by perfect people? God kept my mouth shut this time. And my hands firmly folded (clenched) in my lap.Perhaps next time it will even extend into my heart, where my thoughts toward such belligerence will be more Christ-honoring.

We have only just begun. Our next month is absolutely jam packed with more regular season games and at least three more weekend tournaments. Much more opportunity to practice self-control as I am surrounded by others who seem to have none.

Lord, help!