Okay! I'm freaking out again. If you've been reading my blog, you know that my son, a sophmore catcher with a possible future in baseball, injured his knee. We finally met with the surgeon. The initial prognosis was inaccurate. Not the miniscus (sp?) He actually has a broken piece of bone floating like a swan on a lake inside his knee. Maybe a swan is too nice of a visual, after all, this thing is sharp and causing issues.

In fact, he thought he was getting better and went up to bat (just once) in a game. He shared with me that he felt something poking out the side of his knee. As he adjusted his pants before taking another swing, he pushed it back in. UG! EW! Yuk!

Until surgery, this boy is totally off baseball. Unfortunately, his team is not doing so well and apparently there is some dissension amongst kids and parents. Playing time. Older kids vs. the younger ones.

Isn't it amazing how when things aren't "right" emotionally and spiritually how it effects us in the physical? Hum --? Could that be the problem with the team? This is an awesome group of young men. I'm not even sure exactly what is going on. I know for me, it triggers memories of my horrible existence on a swim team in years past. If you've heard my extended testimony, you have likely heard about this. Let's just say, I was totally "picked on" and abused; did I mention betrayed, too?

Anyway, getting off subject. My point. I'm worried about my son. Then, to top it off, my young daughter ends up with a bladder infection. My mom has bronchitis and has been fainting. I missed work time. See what I mean ... 1, 2, 3.

1. Jordyn breaks knee

2. Grandma (my mom) gets very sick

3. Jade gets horrible, painful, highly annoying bladder infection.

Enough complaining. Just saying, life can be hard. As if you didn't know that.

What all this has led me to think about is just how temporary everything is. The Bible talks about our lives, in these bodies, being so very short. Things change. I have to remind myself that if my son is unable to play ball beyond high school, it's all in God's plan. The trophies and awards of this world will rust and turn to dust. There are no Oscar statues in Heaven.

Am I worrying more about earthly recognition than the heavenly rewards promised by our King? Sadly, at times, I am. I still seek approval from "man." I desire to win the game, or see my children win. Whatever that winning might look like.

Jesus doesn't care if we're All Star Baseball players, award winning authors, or famous actors. He cares about the condition of our hearts. His desire is for us to love Him and love others.

When we finally cross the threshold, from this life to the next, Jesus won't be asking to see a list of our earthly accomplishments. Rather, He is interested in knowing if we fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, visited those who were imprisoned, helped widows and orphans. Sadly, His Word tells us that if we have failed to do those things, we must depart from His presense. I don't like that alternative.

I'm not talking about faith vs. works. One flows from the other. For when we have truly accepted our Savior, in time, it will become more natural for us to serve. Good works surge from our deepening love of God.

I hate to admit, I'm still more self-absorbed than I want to be.

Lord, fill me with love for others. Make me a willing vessel of our truth and grace.

Oh how my heart cries out for more of Him.

Once again, through these three recent happenings, my King has reminded me that my time here is short. I can use it to further my own agenda, or use it to glorify Him. Lord, I choose you.

What do you choose? If you want to make a fresh commitment to serving God and letting go of all your earthly entanglements, please, send me a note.

Thankfully, the Bible tells us that there are many who have gone on before us and still more who travel beside us as we journey through life as sons and daughters of the King of Kings. Let's remember to lift one another up in prayer in the days ahead.

Please feel free to send me a prayer request or a comment. I'd love to hear from you.