A Few Passes and Some Prayers

Overlooking the time we spend reading the Gospel and praying, I believe we all have our own unique ways of spending one-on-one time with God. Take myself for example - I have been blessed with a quenching love for basketball, and as I have matured in my faith, I have taken my love for basketball to a whole new level. Growing up in the same neighborhood as the city park, I have spent hours on end shootin' hoops on White Oak's finest. In fact, besides a much needed paint job and an even more needed Oatmeal Cream Pie removal, those mustard yellow poles and faded burgundy backboards haven't seen much change.

Lately, my time spent with God has been dwindling, and I was graciously reminded today (one) of the reasons why exactly that was! I hadn't set aside time to play one-on-one with God! You see, basketball has always been my go-to when times get tough. For as long as I can remember, when things weren't exactly going as planned and I needed to clear my head, I would immediately squeeze into the first pair of sneakers I saw, grab my brother's "I Believe" basketball that I secretly wished were my own and head out the door. I would shoot for as long as possible, barely sneaking past the first sign of darkness, giving myself just the right amount of time to make it home before Mom began to frantically pace as she peered out the kitchen windows, waiting my arrival. As I played, I would talk to God about my struggles as if He was the goal and the ball that swiveled between my drenched fingers (literally...I have sweaty palms) was my problems. I would shoot shot after shot, problem after problem, at God, and it was the best cure I could find to mend a broken heart. It was just me, God, a few passes and some prayers. That's what basketball has always been to me, and that's what it will always be...time well spent with God! As always, He was patient with me and waited until I came to Him and last night, for the first time in several months, I did. I played basketball with God, and it was the best workout I've gotten in a while!

Obviously, it is vital that we be in His word every day! However, it is also important that we set aside time to hang out with Him, talking to Him and getting to KNOW Him! Find what it is that you love to do and share that love with God! He's waiting patiently for you!

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17