The Bungee Cord 8-16-22

Hello,

Just a week or so ago there was a story on Facebook about what happened in a Little League baseball game. It was a game between two different towns who were trying to reach the Little League World Series. As you might guess, the teams were made up of very talented 12 and 13 year old’s. Anyway, at some point in the game, a pitch got away from the pitcher and struck the batter on his helmet that covered his temple. The helmet came flying off, and the batter fell to the ground holding his head. The coaches and the medical team came rushing out to treat the batsman who was motionless. The crowd went silent, but after a while the batter was helped to his feet and shook his head a couple of times. It was determined that he was going to be all right, so the batter started walking toward first base and the opposing catcher tapped him on the shoulder, apparently to make sure the batter was ok.

Meanwhile, as all the attention was being focused on the hit batsman, no one had noticed how shook the pitcher was. He was standing on the mound trying to hold back the tears from the fears that he may have harmed the batter. When the batter reached first base, he took a look at the pitcher, and realizing how upset the pitcher was, instead of putting his helmet back on, the batter dropped his helmet and started walking toward the mound. When he reached the mound, he put his arms around the pitcher and gave him a hug. It was an amazing sight, a sight that captured the national news. The young hit batsman received nationwide applause for his kindness and sportsmanship. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp7wNtupzSU)

But there’s more to the story. The two players were interviewed on a morning news program. As the hit batsman told the story he said that when he got to first base, he realized how torn up the pitcher was, and so he decided to walk up to the pitcher and “show him God’s love.”

To me, this event was an assurance that God is at work in this world as I recalled a verse from Isaiah that speaks about the peace that God is at work making happen,

“The wolf shall live with the lamb,

the leopard shall lie down with the kid,

the calf and the lion and the fatling together,

and a little child shall lead them.”

“And a little child shall lead them.” As I have watched adults play baseball and a batter is hit by a pitch, I have never seen a hit batsman walk to the mound and give the pitcher a reassuring hug. I have, on the other hand, seen such batters charge the mound, trying to revenge his pain. Umpires try and get in the way. Benches clear. A brawl breaks out. People get hurt. The crowd cheers with excitement. Players get thrown out of the game.

But this Spirit-led 13 year-old dropped his helmet, walked to the mound, and gave the weeping pitcher a hug to “show him God’s love”. And when his hug was finished, he nonchalantly walked back to first base. The pitcher’s teammates gathered around the pitcher, the coach came out to console the pitcher who was too torn up to continue, and the crowd applauded.

God is at work in this world, and a little child shall lead us.

Have a great week.

God’s grace and peace, (ggap)

Pastor Jerry Nuernberger

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