[392 words]
It was a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon. My son’s Little League All-Star baseball team was playing in the Regional championship game. The team had won their first game earlier that afternoon to advance to the championship round. Just before the start of the game I headed to the dugout to inform both my son and his coach that we would be leaving early so that we could get back in time for church service. Initially my son didn’t want to go. He wanted to stay and play and help his team. I told him later that he was helping his team by setting a good example in letting his light shine before them (Mat. 5:16).
The next day, as I was scrolling through Facebook and reading the various posts, I saw the pictures of the team hoisting high into the air the trophy they had received for their outstanding play throughout the tournament. They had played hard and deserved that beautiful trophy, and I was happy for each of them. Do I wish my son could have experienced that joy with the rest of the team and helped hoisted the trophy with them? Sure I do! But you see there is a far greater trophy I want my son to receive and hoist high one day; that is, the crown of life (2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 5:4; Rev. 2:10). And I realize that to obtain that eternal reward, my son, as well as I and all others, must make the Lord number one in this life (Mat. 6:33; Col. 3:1-2).
I realize that some might think I’m judging those who allow their sons or daughters to miss church services for such activities. I am not the Judge—God is! Each one of us will stand before Him one day in Judgment and answer for the things we have done (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10); thus, each individual must determine for themselves what they will and will not do. As for me and my house, we have chosen to serve the Lord (Jos. 24:15). Am I perfect? Absolutely not (Rom. 3:23)! But I will do the very best I can each day to teach my son, as well as the rest of the world, that Jesus is Lord of my life!
Terry R. Townsend
Curry Church of Christ
Jasper, AL