Peanuts and Ice Cold Drinks

What would a baseball game be without the shouts of "Get yur peanuts here!", or "Ice cold drinks, right here!"? Quickly you get the attention of the vendor at the other end of your row. Then you pass your $20.00 bill through the hands of 10 strangers and miraculously receive the right change. If you're lucky, the vendor will toss your bag of peanuts behind his back to add his own special little flare.

To me there is a big difference between the vendor who just hands you the bag of peanuts and the guy who does it with style. I'll take the guy with style any day.

And that reminds me that happiness in life isn't so much about what you do, but how you do it. I've been on this planet for 41 years and I've seen people love the same jobs that other people hate. While there's truth to the idea that each of us are wired for certain kinds of work and we will be happier if we work in that special area, it's far more important to do what you do with the special touch only you can give.

The Apostle Paul wrote "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." When we do whatever we do with all our heart and with our own special touch, we reflect the glory and creativity of God. So go ahead and be who you were created to be. Have fun in whatever you do. Be thankful for the way God made you and display His image stamped on you. Don't worry about what others think. Remember how is more important than what. You can always find someone who can do WHAT you do but you'll never find anyone who can do it HOW you do it.

Do a Little Dance

What do baseball and dancing have in common? Apparently, a whole lot if you are a member of the Seattle Mariners grounds crew.

I'm always excited to visit a new ballpark, whether it's major leagues or minor leagues. Every park has its own atmophere and some have their special ballpark food. I was a little surprised by the "little extra" at Safeco Field in Seattle. After the third inning the grounds crew came out to touch up the infield. Then the music started (sorry, can't remember the song, some 50's song I think) and before I knew it the whole crew was doing a dance routine. What a trip!

I think I can learn a lesson from the Mariners' ground crew. I need to break up the normal routine of life with a little dancing now and then. After all, the Bible teaches us to praise God with dancing. Don't be afraid, you won't catch me doing this in public! Public displays of rhythm are not my specialty. If I can clap in time during worship at church, that's an achievement. Instead, I'll just grab one of my kids or my wife and sing and dance along with a crazy song or some upbeat worship song. Sometimes a little dance can bring up the joy that has been buried in our hearts by the weights and cares of life and let it soar again.