In not heeding the words of my own sermon from the day before, I was impatient on Monday night and couldn't hold out long enough to see the Traverse City Beach Bums win on a walk-off in the bottom of the 11th.
Church in the Hills sent a group of 35 to see the game at the beautiful stadium there in Traverse City. It was a great outing for the church and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves. However, when we went to bonus baseball in the 10th, you could tell it was tough for everyone to stick it out. My own family, with the two year old and 6 week old, had had enough. We tried to wait and we almost made it, but we just couldn't stick around for the whole thing. We left the B-bums on the field in the top of the 11th and missed the excitement of the finish.
As much as I love baseball, I find myself less patient these days than I think I should be. I give up on the Tigers too soon and too often, miss the potential come from behind victories. I get down on the team when they fall behind and assume they should always be up, every game, every inning.
I'm worried that my faith goes in the same direction at time. When things around me are good, I savor it. However, I often don't have the same patience and consistency during the struggles. I get down on myself and my lack of understanding. I fear about what is to come. I don't focus on the long-term picture and the ways good might come out of a situation.I'm not wishing to be a Pollyanna who only sees the good in the world. What I do ask is for all of your support in facing spiritual, emotional, and physical difficulties in the same way God is faithful to us - with love and peace. We need to serve one another in this way by expressing the calming presence of the Holy Spirit. Show love and patience to each other. Encourage one another to stick it out in the trying extra innings, regardless of how tired, frustrated, and confused we might be. Have hope that there is always resolution.
Take care and have a great week,
Pastor Andrew Pomerville
