Be Like Kate
- Strength For Life
- 30 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Baseball has long been used as a metaphor for life. Through the seemingly infinite number of possibilities in a game, America’s pastime mirrors the countless possibilities in our own lives. The game will teach you, humble you, fill you with pride and joy, and sometimes break your heart. Baseball has lessons for all of us.
What no one ever talks about are the life lessons found in the stands. Yet, there are just as many there as there are on the field.
Recently, my wife and I took our daughter to Chicago and to a couple of Cubs games at Wrigley Field for her 13th birthday. On our last night there, God reached out and reminded me that, although I was having a wonderful time, I could still l earn lessons there. At 42 years old, I need all the lessons I can get, especially this kind.
We sat directly in front of a 21-year-old young lady named Kate. Kate has Malan Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects development in many different ways. If you sat next to Kate at a baseball game, however, her condition would not be the first thing you would notice. It would be her joy.
Kate was full of joy for baseball. From the beginning of the pregame festivities, she had a smile on her face. She cheered for those throwing out the first pitch, those singing the national anthem, and the child who shouted, “Play ball!” When the game started, I realized she was cheering for both the Detroit Tigers and the hometown Chicago Cubs. Every batter had her support. She was excited for every play. A good hit, a bad hit, a great catch, or a missed opportunity, it did not matter. She cheered for it all.
By the end of the third inning, I had interacted with Kate and her family several times. I told her that, just for her, I was going to cheer for both teams as well. I kept my promise and cheered alongside her.
Even though I only spoke with Kate briefly, and only had a small glimpse into her life, she changed mine.
James tells us that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). Every child, special needs or not, is one of the perfect gifts from God. It became abundantly clear to me that meeting Kate was the greatest gift I could have received at that game.
Jesus said, “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3). The faith that pleases God is simple and joyful. Yet many of us have grown into grumpy curmudgeons all year round, with a side of “Humbug!” at Christmastime. If we viewed our lives through Kate’s eyes, we would be far more joyful.
Did you strike out? Did you miss the catch? Surely there is still something to cheer for there. We can, at least, be joyful that we are still in the game.
Early in that game at Wrigley field, I told my wife and daughter that if I caught a foul ball I was going to give it to Kate. I had determined to do that because I believe Kate is the epitome of a true baseball fan: cheering loudly, joyfully, and without ceasing.
By the eighth inning, I knew my chances of catching a foul ball for Kate were running out. Instead, I gave her the promotion giveaway from that night: a Cubs pin. She opened the box, saw the pin, and was filled with more joy than I think I have ever seen over such a simple gift.
It reminded me of the joy and excitement newly converted Christians possess at the beginning of their walk with Christ. As time passes, however, we begin to lose a little joy here and a little there until, before we know it, we find ourselves grumbling about the very blessings God has given us.
Jesus warned the church at Ephesus that He had “somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Rev. 2:4).
Kate had not lost her first love of baseball. She had kept the joy. I imagine her first baseball game was much like this one; filled with wonder, excitement, and pure delight.
After he sinned, David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10). He knew he had lost his joy and enthusiasm; he wanted a clean heart. That night, I saw what I imagine a clean heart looks like. Kate’s spirit was constantly renewed by her love for baseball.
Many of us have asked God for tougher hearts. Or, perhaps our hearts simply became hardened over time. We need to remember that Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). I, a Christian with a hardened heart and a tough exterior, needed to meet Kate to remind myself that I need a pure heart before God.
As the game went on and I spoke more with Kate and her family, a sense of happiness and joy overcame me unlike anything I have felt in a very long time. I have been praying for years that God would soften my heart and rid me of some bitterness I carry. And that night, my prayer was answered through a 21-year-old young lady who was not even trying to teach any lessons.
Christian, we are commanded that, “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report … think on these things” (Phil. 4:8). Kate, in my brief interactions with her and her family, seemed to meet every part of that command.
Sometimes God teaches us through sermons. Sometimes through Scripture. And sometimes, if we’re paying attention, He teaches us from the stands of a baseball game through a joyful young lady cheering for both teams.
So, find what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, and dwell on those things, much as I have dwelt on meeting Kate. Be like Kate. And as you do, “thine ears shall hear a word behind thee,” which will be Jesus saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21).
The above article was written by Jonathan Thornton. He is a military veteran and member of NorthStone Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL. To offer him your feedback, comment below or email us at strengthforlife461@gmail.com.
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