Lessons in the Dirt to Help Smooth Over Our Differences
My father exposed me to Major League Baseball at an early age. He would take me to rustic old Forbes Field several times a year to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates, who were actually pretty good back then. We would sit in the right field grandstands so we could
watch the great Roberto Clemente in action, but my interest went beyond what the
players did. I was mesmerized when the grounds crew would come out before the game
and midway through to manicure the field and smooth out the dirt. When they finished
their work, the infield was perfect — until the players stepped back on.
In life, we really need to take time to “smooth things out” for ourselves and in our
relationships with others. The Good Lord calls on us to live without fear and in peace
with one another. In order to do that, we need to smooth out the rough spots, both in our
own lives and in our interactions with other people.
In order to do that, however, we don’t need a tractor or a field grate to drag behind it.
Instead, we need a simple commitment to the God we serve and a pledge to obey his
foundational commandment — to love our neighbor. Think of how much smoother our
life would be if we simply loved each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Love also
begets forgiveness, and that is critical for we are to forgive others if we expect God to
forgive us.
The next time you go to a ballgame, watch the grounds crew. They hold the secret to
smoothing the field. Likewise, if we watch and follow the Lord, he will help us smooth
out the rough spots in life.