HYPERACTIVITY OR HOLY COMPASION?
My son, Jacob, plays on a soccer team. One of his teammate’s younger brothers always comes to the practices and the games. This younger brother is a ball of energy. He’s probably 11-years-old. He talks continually and does not sit for more than three seconds. My husband, Brian and I played Frisbee with him one day before the game. When it came time for the game to start he did not want to stop. He kept trying to convince us to keep playing Frisbee.
Finally, his mom said, “That’s enough! They are parents who are going to watch their son play the game. Stop-it!” He reluctantly stopped, but he kept the Frisbee in his hand throwing it up slightly, simultaneously using his index fingers to spin it quickly in circles. Every now and then, he would stand up behind all the parents and throw it into a metal pole, loudly. I asked him to please not do that as it might break the Frisbee. Worse yet, he might miss the pole and hit someone with it.
I say all this to say that early Saturday morning games can be somewhat challenging for me if I have not had two cups of coffee and prayed that God would work through me that day, especially that morning!
Yesterday, Jacob had an early game. Brian brought the Frisbee. I was tired from a long week. I didn’t really want to play Frisbee with Brian, but I wanted to be a nice Warrior Wife, so I decided I would play. Brian walked out to the center of the soccer field (We were there before anyone). I thought he was going to ask me to play, but then I heard him yell the brother’s name real loud. Apparently, the brother had arrived and was running across two soccer fields to get to Brian. “Do you wanna play?” Brian asked with a smile. “Yes!” said the brother as he pulled his fist in like he just scored a home run. He even jumped up in the air like he won the lottery. They proceeded to play Frisbee for thirty minutes. His mom walked up to me to tell me how much she appreciated Brian playing Frisbee with her son. She was divorced and had some challenging circumstances.
As she walked away, I watched Brian and the brother play Frisbee and a tear came to my eye. I remembered what it was like not having a father growing up. I remembered how good male teachers and good male coaches encouraged me and paid attention to me. It made a world of difference to me as a kid. I knew that God was using Brian to be a source of fun and encouragement for this young boy. I was equally humbled at how hard it was for me (requiring much coffee and a lot of prayer) to prepare to see this boy who was hyperactive each Saturday.
For my husband, however, it was easier, less complicated, more fun and a great example of holy compassion flowing freely like a Frisbee.
I am so thankful that I saw an example of how compassionate God is towards us as I watched my husband play Frisbee with this young boy. God’s love is amazing!
Isa 49:22This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I will beckon to the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.
Isa 49:23Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”
Isa 49:24Can plunder be taken from warriors, or captives rescued from the fierce?
Isa 49:25But this is what the LORD says: “Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.
Isa 49:26I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob
Kristina Seymour loves to encourage and equip women through the Word and through community. She is the author of The Warrior Mom Handbook, The Warrior Mom Leadership Manual, and The Warrior Wife Handbook; they are available at Amazon.com. Kristina's Bible studies are for women who desire to live by faith in the midst of their everyday lives. She has learned that women can't survive on caffeine and animal crackers alone; women in the Word and in community are united and able to stand firm. To learn more about Kristina, please visit her recently founded Share & Company Publishing House http://seymourkristina.wix.
Originally published Tuesday, 24 July 2018.
SHARE
