I love watching a good baseball game. Even if my favorite team doesn’t win. It is more important to me to see the team working together with good sportsmanship, growing as a team and loving the game in which they are playing. As I recently watched my oldest son’s baseball game, I saw exactly this. Their team was down in points, but their enthusiasm and team spirit still remained high. One young man struck out at the plate. Although as he walked back to the dugout, no one criticized him. In fact, one young man gave him a high five and said good try. While others encouraged him that it was alright. No one insulted their teammate. They knew that would not have made anything any better. They knew that the best thing they could give that player and their team, was to build them back up. Our team did not win in points. However, they won as a team; one in which built character and friendships.

It is so easy for us to judge or criticize others when they make mistakes. Although this only makes things worse. When we make mistakes, which we all do at times, we’re not perfect; we need to be encouraged, not ridiculed. When we know we messed up and we’re trying to grow from it; we need people to nurture us with kindness, not cruelty. Friend, when we see someone striking out, may we offer them compassion. For sometimes we are the person that needs it ourselves. Character is often seen in the compassion in which we give others. Friendships are built in the kindness we offer one another. Loving as we are called, means loving others even when they miss the ball. I think of all the times I have struck out and God lifted me back up and encouraged my heart to try again. May we all love with this same Grace. That same kind of encouragement, that He so lovingly gives us.

Erin Fitts-Brower

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.