The Mercy Rule was Almost Used!

It was close to happening. The other night in our softball game we lost badly-very, very badly. So badly, that the mercy rule almost had to be used. We ended up losing 9-0. Ouch! As I sat on the bench before we were getting ready to bat in the bottom of the 5th, I looked over to a friend and told her that my competitive nature was about to rear it's ugly head. I was so frustrated that we were losing so bad.

Now during this whole time I am sure the other team was having fun. They were creaming us-it had to be a good time for them. There was one player on their team that truly intrigued me though. She was having so much fun that it actually helped me to have a good time. It was contagious.

She was good. Really good. Her first at bat she got a hold of it and bounced it to the fence. She was slow though, so she only made it to 2nd base. As she got there she joked loudly that no matter where she hits it, she gets a double. She then proceeded to act as though she was "running" the bases with a walker. It was histerical!

Her next at bat had me going though. This is where my frustration started to disolve a bit. Our right fielder moved in as he figured she would crank it out to left field again. That way he could play back up at first base. As he moved in he yelled to her that he was leaving the right field open for her and tempted her to "Hit it over my head!" When she heard him, she got a huge smile on her face and opened up her stance. She then cranked a line drive directly over his head. Man, she could hit. (She also got a double again!)

You know, a lot of players that could hit as good as this woman could might get cocky. She never did though. She always was smiling, laughing, and having a great time. When she wasn't on the field she was sitting with friends laughing so loud that you could hear it from a mile away.

As Kendahl and I drove away from our loss, she could sense my frustation. (Maybe beacuse I told her that I was frustrated). Either way, after we talked about why I was frustated, the conversation worked back towards that woman. Both of us began to laugh as we thought about how funny she was and how much fun she was having on and off the field. Her joy was absolutely contagious-even when my stupid competitive side was wanting to rear it's ugly head.

Galatians 5:22-26
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

The woman who could have single handedly beat our team last night was living by the spirit. She never rubbed it in or got cocky. She just had a good time. She was joyful. She was keeping "in step with the Spirit." Thankfully it was contagious and I was able to get my step back.

Are you keeping in step with the spirit despite what is happening in your life right now? If not, look to someone who is. It is contagious.