Baseball

Tonight I, along with another chaperone, went with a group of teens to a minor league baseball game. The tradition started a year ago and they were excited to go again tonight.
I love baseball! I love watching baseball- especially live! So, this is a great thing!
Do my youth love baseball? Not really. Do they love watching the game? Not sure. But, I know they loved going tonight and spending time together. So, even if they don't understand the game, they understand the joy of hanging out together at the Cubs game- eating pretzels and kettle corn.
The game tonight was fun! And, we won! There were lots of great plays and the players really seemed to be trying hard to win.
So, where was God today? He was at the baseball game where we were hanging out and having fun!
Blessings,
Jennifer

GPS

Today I traveled to a training event for an upcoming conference. When we got to our destination, we registered and then decided to head out on the town for dinner. It was my turn to drive one of the vehicles so I jumped in the front seat and found the car I was following. I also had our destination put in my phone in case we got separated. And, just so I knew how far away our destination was. It wasn't far- only about 4 miles. But, it said it would be about 12 minutes away. Soon, we were driving along and hit the city rush hour traffic. I'm not used to that and had to remind myself to be patient. It wasn't bad and before I knew it we were 3 minutes away. Then, the car I was following went the opposite direction from what my phone said. But, not wanting to get separated, I followed the car in front of me. Suddenly, instead of 3 minutes away, we were 12 minutes away, then another wrong turn and we were 14 minutes away! This went on for awhile and amidst the giggles, I wondered what was happening in the car in front of me. Obviously, their GPS was different than mine. Finally, we got back on the right path, headed in the right direction, and we made it to our destination.

Several things come to mind when replaying this scene. First, I knew none of these people except one. But, this incident became a bonding time that years from now I will see them and say "remember that time when...". That was pretty helpful to me. It gave us a connection in a world where I wasn't quite connected. (Not through anyone's fault- they were all great from the start of our day! They even bought me a birthday cake at lunch which was really sweet!) But, I felt like that was a gift- something to help bring us all together.

Secondly, it reminded me of life, of our path with God. We all start out on a journey. Even if we all start at the same place and even if we have the directions, sometimes we decide to go the opposite way. And, sometimes it's more negative than others when we veer off the path, but, I'd have a hard time finding someone that never veered. But, when we decide to follow the path, we get to our destination. Sometimes we take a really twisted, up and down way of getting there! But, if we decide to follow, He will lead us there. And, along the way, we can still develop support, relationships, and knowledge to help us, And, in later years, we can use our stories...maybe to connect and say remember when, or maybe as a warning to someone saying "Don't go this way!". But, if we learn from our wrong turns and find the right way, we will get to where we are supposed to be!

So, where was God today? He got us safely to our destination. And, he put us all together for a reason- to find ways to share His word woth others by using our gifts.

Blessings,

Jennifer

Tuesday- Twin

The other day I talked about several of my former youth who are planning on a career in ministry and how they were a part of ministry now. But, I didn't mention one of the other young adults who is in ministry now. Along with volunteering for me, he is also working in music ministry and has a passion for music.
I've known him since he was in elementary school. Back then, I never would have guessed he would be volunteering with me in ministry. I didn't even know I would be in ministry! But, now I am grateful to God for this young man!
Why did I wait until now rather than the other day? Well, he's my birthday twin! So, as I celebrate my birthday today, I want to celebrate my awesome birthday twin!
I had a great day celebrating my birthday! I had so many birthday wishes from friends and family! And, I got flowers from my husband! Best of all, we got to spend some time together and went out for dinner! There is nothing better than that!
So, where was God today? He was celebrating birthdays! And, I am grateful for the life that he has given me! And, I am grateful for my birthday twin that has heard His call to music ministry and has answered it.
Blessings,
Jennifer