Thank you all for another beautiful and productive day/week of C-Sports Baseball! I always tease Mrs. Rose implying that she and God have a deal about weather on practice and game days. Ok, Mrs. Rose…we need some rain! Anyway, the smiles and laughter Saturday matched the obvious improvement that I see each week in skills and abilities displayed by our young athletes. Your work and influence is paying off in big ways.
This has been a tough week for some of us here at Christ United as we lost a dear friend. I got a text from a staff member asking me for a scripture that may address sorrow and emptiness. The words of the 23rd Psalm came to me immediately. There is where we read that “He restores my soul”. When I booted up my computer this morning my first email was from the Head of our Grounds Ministry, Ricky Bell, informing me that the gas cans for the mowers were empty. Since we use most of the grass here, the Recreation Ministry supplies the gas. I put the empty gas cans in my truck and headed to the gas station. The whole time I was planning my Monday which includes writing my weekly message to you. I always pray for the words God wants me to share. I was doing that as I lifted the empty gas containers…containers that supply the gas that is needed for our fields to be manicured twice a week so that so many people can experience the fun and fellowship this ministry provides. The gas cans were empty…much like the emptiness so many of us were feeling…and yet, it was my job to fill them so that their purpose may be fulfilled.
When I suggested the 23rd Psalm to my friend I was feeling the need for restoration. It came back to me as I filled the cans…”You anoint my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” It was time to let the Spirit “fill my cup”. Yes, God is good all the time. He is faithful in good times and bad. As you and I minister to the families on the ball fields we often have no idea what may be going on in their lives. I had the opportunity for the first time since we began this ministry last Monday to lead a team devotion during practice. As I knelt in the circle with the coaches and players looking toward me for God’s message, it occurred to me what a blessing you coaches must feel each week. You are filling their “cups” with God’s word of love and assurance. The prayer requests range from help momma find a job to help my foot stop hurting. And the eyes are on us as we supply the word.
A song that I have done at many youth camps and devotion opportunities is “Fill My Cup Lord” Which says, “Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord, come and quench this thirsting of my soul. Bread of Heaven feed me till I want no more. Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.” I pray today that your “cups” are full and running over with the blessings of the Holy Spirit. Spill them onto the players and families who will be coming to you this week. Love them with God’s love and guide them with His hands. Thank you all for what you mean to this ministry. Have a great week and I’ll see you on the field!
In His Service,
Steve Ellisor, Recreation Minister
Christ United Methodist Church
251-706-3326
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6