The Least

This week, we had the pleasure of camping with some family and dear friends.  It was Hannah's first camping trip.  Although my shoulder was still hurting, and I was very hesitant to believe that Hannah could do it, we did it.  Hannah did marvelous, the boys had a blast, and my shoulder is slowly, but surely getting better.  I'll post some pictures if I can get around to it. 

Now, on to the important part of the blog.....I saw the most amazing thing.  We camped with Plum Grove church.  On Saturday night, a crazy game of kids verses parents tenni-ball wall was started.  For those of you new to the sport, it is just baseball played with a tennis ball.  Into the first inning, a few campground stragglers wandered up and wanted to join.  They were of course invited to join in the fun.

In the second inning, we had another visitor.  A young man with down-syndrome named Jay walked up and grabbed the bat.  No one asked him to join, he didn't ask for permission, he just grabbed the bat.  You might think the kids would say something but not a word was spoken, the kids just pitched the ball.  The little girl pitching threw probably 40 pitches while everyone cheered him on.  He never got a hit, so some very crafty men managed to create a hit for him.  He ran the bases for a home-run, everyone cheered,and all was right in the world  It was easy to see that he needed some help.

So, now for the best part.  When it was his turn to take the field, he asked to pitch.  Of course he was allowed.  The first batter came to the plate, 5 year-old Carson.  Jay wound up like a major league pitcher.  You could see all the parents cringe, because we just knew that Carson was going to get hit with the tennis ball.  However, that big wind up ended in a beautiful lob right across the plate where Carson had a great hit.  There was a huge collective sigh of relief.  Jay went on to pitch to several more kids with the same expertise.  Then, at the plate comes 4 year old Gavin.  Jay pitches well over a dozen pitches, and Gavin fails to make a hit.  I look up to see Jay scoot up to Gavin, crouch down, and perfect the slowest lob right over the plate.  It is the perfect pitch for a 4 year old.  Jay pitches about 8-10 more pitches and Gavin still doesn't have a hit.

So, what happens next, brought tears to my eyes.  Jay walks over to Gavin takes off his glove and begins coaching him.  He kneels down, places Gavin's hands of the bat, tells him to choke up on the bat and watch the ball.  He even double-checks his hand placement on the bat, gives Gavin a pat and a thumbs-up and walks back to the pitchers mound.  Now honestly, Jay's speech was terrible.  I'm not sure Gavin understood a word that he said, but he got the point with the gestures.  Most importantly, Gavin felt encouraged.  So, wouldn't you know it just a few more pitches, and Gavin nailed the ball.  Of course, he got a home-run.

I was reminded of a very important lesson on Saturday.  See, everyone needs a little help and encouragement every now and again.  The question is, will we be smart enough to recognize it like Jay did, and brave enough to do something about it.  Most people would say that Jay was lacking in so many ways.  I recognize that he has some pretty special needs, but I think he has a clear vision of the big picture.

"And the King will say, "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!"  Matthew 25:40 NLT