I’m a “drop and run” Mom, as I once heard it negatively stated by a parent who never leaves their child at any event alone. For me, there’s always another child to pick up or drop off at the next event, a prescription that needs filling, or a sudden urge for a latte that needs addressing. So I drop my child off with a coach or tutor and take off.

But today, I slowed down, life slowed down. I sat in the Alaskan sun on cold, metal bleachers and watched my son’s baseball practice.  About 30 minutes into the practice, the coach told the boys to get in a circle. He then proceeded to place a ball in the center of the circle and told the boys to kneel down. He demonstrated how to lean forward with your palms on the ground and “bow to the baseball.”

The coach said, “We’re going to worship the baseball. Repeat after me. Oh ball, I won’t let you fall out of my glove. Oh, ball, I won’t overthrow you at second base.  Oh ball, . . . . “

I watched as my 12 year old refused to go along with the shenanigans and refused to quote his coach’s words of worship. I was pleased that he refused to bow down.I was disappointed that he was the only one who recognized that worshipping anything other than God is wrong. 

Sure it was a joke, but many people worship the ball or at least the game. This phenomena is real. This little worship “game” was reflective of the value many place in a sport like baseball. The love of it replaces or squeezes out a love for God.  Lord, protect my children as they play sports. Keep their first love You.