I knew this day would come eventually. There have been colds in and out of my house for the last two months. It was just a matter of time until my immune system gave in. I haven’t slept well for the last few nights. No cough. No fever. Just simply the energy level of a sloth.
The odds of surviving 12 months in Missouri without a small cold or allergies taking up residence in every joint in my body are virtually nil.
At some point, in the streak of 2,632 consecutive games Cal Ripken Jr. played over 16 seasons, he had to wake up and think, “I don’t feel so good today.”
I wonder what he did on such days.
As soon as I got to church this morning Harper greeted me with a one-word question, “Baseball?”
I didn’t want to say no, but it was pouring outside.
I’m not exactly sure why, but I don’t like getting wet. Not at theme parks or at the beach or with the hose in the yard. And wet socks are the worst.
“After worship,” I replied.
Bethany sang on the worship team this morning. Bethany sings with passion and power and with all of her heart. It is always a delight to join her in singing. I’m thankful she has the mic and I don’t. Toward the end of the service, Bethany sang one of my favorite songs from this past year: No Longer Slaves.
You unravel me, with a melody
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance, from my enemies
Till all my fears are gone
You split the sea
So I could walk right through it
My fears were drowned in perfect love
You rescued me
And I will stand and sing
I am the child of God
In this fear-driven culture, the message of this song is needed every single day: Love is stronger still.
After worship, Harper again greeted me with one word, “Baseball!”
The rain had let up considerably.
We walked to a nearby parking lot and he told me stories from his first two games.
“The first one was bad. But the second one was fun. I got new cleats and a new bat, too.”
Brennan, Sophie, and Atticus tossed the ball some. And then Bethany showed up, braving rain and puddles.
My family has played board games at Bethany’s house with her husband Josh (Day #16) and daughter Lael (Day #50). Whether Settlers of Catan or The Resistance, Bethany is fiercely competitive. She is an expert at reading people; I am horrible at it. Bethany is also a fan of the Royals and Mudhouse Coffee, both of which have top ranks in my book.
And we tossed the ball and visited until we were forced to stop by rain and hunger pangs.
On the way to the van, as the rain increased in intensity, I stepped in a puddle and soaked one shoe and sock–but the catch-playing streak continues.
