HE CARES ABOUT THOSE THINGS THAT MATTER TO US

"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him."  Matthew 7:11


I know, here I go with another baseball related story - but hang on because the GOD PART is the best part.  He just uses baseball in a BIG way in our family, but it's the things He does and teaches us that are for ANYBODY !!!

It was March 2011 and we were just 3 months away from heading out and moving to Romania - with a July 5 departure.  We had a budget and a huge list of items to purchase prior to that.  The "Winter Clearance" sales at all the major sporting goods stores had arrived, and I set out to purchase the most important items first.  However, every time we enter one of these stores - we gravitate to the baseball section (with the exception of our daughter Elli, who is merely self sacrificing to our baseball craziness).  Every visit - because you never know what new bat came in, what is on sale, etc.

We find a few necessary items and "drift" on over to the baseball section (opposite side of the store) to see a shiny, green and metal pitching machine.  What is this doing here !?!?  they are usually ONLY special order items.  This is a $2000 machine on sale for half price - what !?!?!?! someone is going to snatch this thing up - its the same model used at Angels Stadium for pre-game practice.  My husband is just standing there, ever so quietly and I know that all he is thinking about, is that machine and how can we get it (note: this is a man who does not spend money easily, let alone on a pitching machine) - he knew this was an amazing find (for a baseball family that is).

We said "good-bye" to the machine, after I reminded him that we had "priorities" and a budget and this machine was in no way going to fit in this budget.

Without telling one another, we both had that pitching machine in our hearts; and we both had individually prayed that if the Lord wanted us to have it - it would still be there and He would provide the finances for us.

The next 4 weeks went by, and we visited Dick's again (several times) for other NECESSARY items - and take our stroll over to the baseball section - the machine is still there!?!?!?  What!? no one has bought it?  Even used they are this much, if not more.  We asked a store clerk what the story is on the machine; someone special ordered it and then didn't want it.  Hmmm...

The next day at church we spend time talking to our friends about this machine and get their thoughts (wise counsel, as the husband is an executive with Sports Chalet); the husband informs us that even with his company discount he couldn't get machine like that, at that price - seemed like a "great get".  We headed into the church service - no more pitching machine on the mind - had a great time with the Lord and his people and went home.

Shortly after lunch, JeJe approaches me quietly and informs me that God used someone at church to bless him with almost $700 and tells me he is still thinking about the pitching machine.  "Me, too." I confessed and proceeded to suggest that we give it to the Lord and that he go tomorrow and talk with the store manager.

He went to the sporting good store and found the store manager.  He explained to her that all he had for this machine was in his pocket, and that included the tax.   She agreed!  He came home, ran the machine a few times and then packed it up - it had to make our shipping container delivery the VERY next day!  His ways our not only higher than ours, but He is also never late.

God cares about every detail of our lives.  What seems insignificant to others, is BIG for Him.  He loves to lavish us with good things, but those things He knows will benefit us, not harm us.

Not only are God's ways higher and more perfect than ours, but He is also NEVER late.

The greatest blessing for us as parents, was sharing this story with our children.  Our son knows that pitching machine was a gift from the Lord.  This past winter a generator was donated to help run the machine without the use of electrical cords; the boys are having a "blast" with it.

Thank You Lord.