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The Baseball, A Children's Story
by Nancy Quinn "Matt!" called out mom. "It's time for dinner." Mom's voice floated from the edge of the town park to the group playing baseball. Always quick to obey his parents, Matt quickly hit the baseball to the edge of the park and grinned. Yes, that tiny round pebble that the boys found this morning was the perfect baseball. With satisfaction, he swung the stick he had carved out for a bat over his shoulder and stepped away from home plate. Thankfully the bases and home plate didn't blow away today like the last time they played baseball. Using oak leaves as the bases don't always work on a windy day. "Gotta go, guys." Called out Matt and waved goodbye to his friends. He hurried to the edge of the park, anticipating one of mom's delicious dinners. As he reached the doorway of his little home under the petunia bush, he touched his head. "Hmm, I have a headache. Must have been when I tripped and fell at third base." Matt was tired after dinner and mom pulled the bright green leaf over him and tucked him tightly to bed with a light kiss on his forehead. "Don't forget your prayers," she whispered. Matt smiled as the scent of the leaf wafted over him. He thanked God for the day and for the fun he had with his friends. Drifting off to sleep, he decided to add a prayer that he would feel better soon. The days wore on and his headaches became downright annoying. "Why do I still not feel good?" he wondered. He prayed and prayed, but still didn't feel good. He plopped into the kitchen chair after school, his tall legs stretched underneath the table. "Mom, why hasn't God made me feel better yet?" he asked out of frustration. "I know it's frustrating when we think our prayers aren't answered," said mom. "But we always trust God because we know He loves us. Whatever He allows to happen to us is always for a reason; even though we may not know why until we get to heaven. But we know that God will explain everything someday. How exciting that will be when we see that even the bad stuff that happened to us here on earth wasn't what we thought it was!" Matt's antennae twitched as he nodded and rolled the little baseball stone between his front legs on the table. "You love baseball, right?" asked mom. When Matt nodded in agreement, she continued. "The baseball doesn't get very far if you don't carry it. That's like God carrying us to places and experiences, some may be tough experiences, but that doesn't mean he has dropped us. He's carrying us through it. And just like the baseball is hard and can fly far when you want it to, God has a protection around you too and He can help you do anything." The ball stopped short and Matt cocked his head as he looked at his favorite baseball in a whole new way. "Now let's use those little praying mantis feet to thank God for his love and protection today!" Matt grinned and bowed his head with his mom. God loved him and he knew whatever happened here on earth, someday God would explain it all. After all, if you can't trust your Father, who can you trust? You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7-8) Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his son is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42: 5,8) May God bless these words as I strive to encourage others in their walk with Christ. Please contact me if you would like to request a specific lesson that Lucy Mouse can teach your children or if you would like a coloring page to be sent to match the story! Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |