On Base

There are many lessons that our children can teach us, if we would be so bold as to push aside our maturing pride and reflect in the way they marvel over things we so often overlook. We look at the child who steps out into the road not looking both ways as fool-hardy and ignorant, but we must also concede that this child is exercising trust without cynicism. This child steadfastly believes that he will step out into the street and walk across to his destination with no concern as to what might happen along the way. Such trust is something that, with age, will most certainly become jaded. Indeed, to have faith without arguing over the particulars is a beautiful thing. We, as adults, can worry, work, or even reason ourselves to death.

Of course, I have never shied away at revealing that I am often too cynical. Pessimism is certainly in my playbook. I dare say that my attitude has gotten worse, since I moved to a state that charges a ludicrous amount of school tax with the real estate tax and punishes people with an unnecessary citation, when they lose control of their vehicle and get into an accident, because of icy road conditions. As if one could magically make their car stop on a dime or coast to a safe spot by simply saying, “shazam!” Yes, I am cynical.

Today, however, my eldest challenged me. By one simple statement, God used him to convict me and peel away layers of my antagonistic attitude. My kids were outside earlier today, playing tag with the neighbor's kids. For a time, I watched them run around the yard somehow managing to laugh and scream at the same time. When I went inside for a glass of water, I heard Ethan yelling. At first, I thought he was yelling at other kids, but then I looked outside and saw him by himself shouting. Now, I also have been known to yell at myself a time or two, but for curiosity's sake, I went outside and asked him what he was saying. “Oh, hey dad.” He looked down. I asked him again. “Dad, I just learned a lesson while playing tag. I was yelling it to myself. You see, God is base and sin is trying to tag us and freeze us.” Immediately, I recalled Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

My dear seven year old son spoke volumes to my heart. When you are at base, you are immune from being tagged, you are secure. No matter what else is going on around you, sweet peace awaits for you on base. The Psalmist declares, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust” (91:1-2). Oh God, thank You for Your endless love and the peace that surpasses man’s knowledge. Thank You for Your sovereign protection! Remind me that oftentimes my cynicism of everyday circumstances, shows my distrust in Your ways. Help me to rejoice in the midst of taxes, citations, heartaches, and financial pressures, because You are “... the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever!” (Psalms 73:26b) Be my shield. Be my provider. Be my base.