Grandpa was not very adapt at playing sports. He walked with a limp. He said it happened as he fell out of the hay barn onto the ground. He did not land right. He said as he grew up there was no time for sports, just work. The only thing he was adapt at was playing a juice harp. Now he could play some music. Psalm 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. He would place that instrument between his teeth and move his mouth and make different sounds.
Several years went by and at the age of 12, I played Little League Baseball. It was a fun time. I made the team and played third base. Grandpa was made proud. Grandpa had retired from farming and he learned the game of baseball. He said he enjoyed watching us kids run around the ballfield. It was a lot better place for us than trampling down his cornfield.
During one on my games, the umpire that was to call the balls and strikes was not able to make the game. The visiting team suggested that of all people to be behind the plate and to call those balls and strikes was my father. One of Grandpa's son-in-laws. Grandpa took his usual seat in the stands. Well not really stands, just a few old planks nailed to a fallen tree near the ball field. Grandpa said he liked to sit in that special spot as it was near a shade tree right behind home plate. He also said he would not yell at the umpire when the call was wrong. But he would sure play him a tune on his juice harp if it was. Loud plops and twangs. It was heard often.
That day, the games progressed well till my time to bat. The first pitch was over my head and what did I hear, “Strike one!" With a confused glanced I looked at my father. Then came the second pitch which was so far outside the plate, I believe it was in another zip code. Again, what did I hear, “Strike two!" This time I had a definite stare at my father. For the first time I heard Grandpa yelling from the stands, “Put your glasses on!" Several loud juice harp twangs were heard. Well, here it came, the final pitch to me. Not high, not outside, but it literally rolled across the plate. It hit the dirt about two feet in front of home plate and rolled across. You guessed it. In a loud distinct voice, my dad said, "Strike three!" I just laid my bat down. I said nothing.
Since I made the third out, I walked to my third base position and played the rest of the game. After the game, I heard my Grandpa question my Dad about his calls to me while the rest of his calls were so fair. He spoke in words that I would never forget. He said, "I showed no favoritism toward him, rather adversity, and he stood after each call and chose to continue without words or giving up. He played with character. Instead of taking it as a defeat, he rather choose to encourage his team. To play on. I think that's why they won." As he walked away, his last words were, “I did it, cause you see, that's, my boy."
Grandpa looked at him and said he understood. He remarked that It took courage on his part to teach me in the midst of my game. Dad replied, well in his life there will be many trials. They will not be easy and he will have to act with faith and courage. Never give up or in. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Grandpa later remarked to my Dad, while you are my son-in-law, you're raising your son in the proper way. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. I am proud to call you “Son”.
Grandpa got to see many more baseball games. His playing of the juice harp at games became almost a necessity. Years passed and Grandpa's loud juice harp playing was no more. He had played his last song. "What a friend we have in Jesus." He was now playing with a heavenly choir.
Many more years later, my Dad was in a nursing home for physical therapy, approaching his 95th birthday. My wife and I visited him often. He would often recall that particular baseball game and remind me to trust Jesus. His memory would sometimes fade. On this one occasion when my wife and I visited him., I will never forget. My wife approached him. My Dad looked at her and asked her, “Do I know you? You look familiar, but I can't placed you.” This made my wife very sad as they had know each other for many, many years. As I had parked the car and she had gone in first, she was in his room trying to prepare herself to tell me that Dad might not remember me. As I walked down a long corridor to his room, my wife remarked, “Do you know who that is coming there?” My dad in a strong voice filled with joy simply said, “That's, my boy!" He had not, nor did he ever forget me.
Shortly thereafter both Dad and Grandpa were united. The winter leagues were playing. I am sure Grandpa was playing his juice harp and Dad singing. On the way home from Dad's funeral, playing on the radio was an old familiar song, “Take me out to the ball game.” It brought back memories of long ago. Shortly, after arriving back home, I picked up my Bible. I began to read.
Mark 1:9-11 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him. And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. In other words, “That's, my boy.”
2 Peter 1:16-17 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. “That's, my boy!”
John 17:1-5 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
My earthly Grandpa and my Dad had passed on to eternity. My heavenly Father, sits on his throne in indescribable glory and majesty. My earthly Dad gave me his greatest gift as he was near his final days when he proudly said, “That's my boy!”
Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Through adversity, troubles and trials, I strive to keep a moral character, encouraging others, proclaiming Christ, knowing the victory is mine. My greatest desire is to hear my Father in Heaven proclaim proudly and boldly, “That's, my boy. Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord."
---
Charles Finney
ccfinney@yahoo.com