Seared into my memory is primary blue carpet and fire-engine red walls screaming excitement almost as loud as the pulsing music that surrounds us. I stand, huddled behind the climbing wall, with a small group of mama-friends. We did our best to shout hellos and catch up with each other and our kids by both reading lips and hand signals. Conversation proved difficult over the noise, so we soon settled on watching our boys play through the window.
Their sweaty, gleeful faces clued us in to the level of fun just inside the door. Balls flew through the air, bodies jostled to pick them up and hurl them at each other. Dodgeball. I shook my head, equal parts unable to understand how this could be fun and appreciative of my growing-too-fast-boy’s pure enjoyment.
Admittedly, I haven’t played the game myself, or even wanted to play. I can’t trust my eye-hand coordination enough to catch several balls at a time as they are hurdled at me, much less have good enough aim to strike an opponent.
Back in November, in the midst of a short series of posts about gratitude, I shared my thankfulness for all the balls I juggle – even when I drop them. (A Glimpse of Gratitude, From a Working Mom) But lately, I feel less like I’m juggling. Instead it’s more like I’ve been thrown into a perpetual game of dodgeball in which I’m not allowed to be “out.” Just when I think I’ve caught a ball and an opponent has to go out, I’m hit with a screaming-fast ball to a blind-spot.
Are you juggling or dodging balls this season?
Recently, as our family tackled an unexpected challenge, it felt much like I’d imagine an unexpected dodgeball to the gut might feel. I groaned. I hung my head and crawled over to the sidelines. In my mind, I sat, knees to chest, sucking air.
But I couldn’t shake the memory from my mind of my boy’s face as he played dodgeball. Complete joy. Laughter. Immersed in the moment. Anticipating.
Soon, though, I wasn’t sitting alone on the sidelines. If it had been a game, my friends would have called time out and jogged over to grab me by both hands, help me to my feet and hand me a Gatorade. Instead, in real life they helped our family get through this challenge in a tangible way.
As we worked side by side, my tears turned to laughter at our circumstance and it occurred to me, perhaps it wasn’t the game that brought so much joy to my boy. Maybe, it was the friendships and working together. In this season, it is almost guaranteed changes and hard things will hit. Let’s commit to helping each other up and handing out sports drinks (or Diet Dr Pepper) when we notice others are winded and falling to the sidelines.
Jesus tell us, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world!”
-John 16
Friends, Jesus has already won this dodgeball game! He’s ready to high-five us for a game well-played and he’s given us a team to help us up – and to offer help – when we’ve been hit.
Hugs and blessings – Bethany
