Baseball Blessings

Just about everyone who goes to a Major League Baseball game wants to catch or have a player or ball person toss them a baseball.

It was the bottom of the fourth inning between the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, and the score was 0-0. Astro Yordan Alvarez was up and hit the baseball for what looked like a sure homerun off of pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. That’s when Brandon Nimmo, Texas Rangers right fielder, leapt up at the wall and caught the ball for an out. Ronald Branch, an Astros fan and tour guide, was sitting on the first row in right field. Even though the ball was coming right at him, Branch knew not to lean over the wall to try to catch it and interfere with the play. Nimmo realized what the fan had done. In a later inning, Nimmo handed two signed baseballs to Branch on which he had written, “Thanks 4 Letting Me Go After It!” Branch posted, “Loyal Astros fan always…but also loyal to the game itself. Besides, when Yordan sends one into orbit, you just sit back, admire the moonshot, and let the outfielder make the business decision.”

 

Jameson Pennings, 9-years-old, dreams of catching or being tossed a foul ball. His parents bought tickets for the Philadelphia Phillies home game against the New York Mets. The seats were along the third base line, where Jameson had a chance to catch the ball or for the ball retriever to toss him a foul ball. During the fifth inning, Jameson’s wish came true as he was tossed a ball. He showed his dad the ball and asked, “Is that where the bat hit it?” His parents were so excited for him and knew he would treasure the baseball for a long time. A few innings later, they were shocked when their son gave the ball to Donna Morey. Earlier in the game, Jameson heard Donna’s daughter mention to the ball girl that it was her mother’s 80th birthday. Jameson told Steve Hartman, “I thought, she is way older, and she can’t come to many more games, and I can go to more, and get many more balls.” When Hartman questioned him about having a ball and then going home with nothing, Jameson said, “I am so glad she took it, because I’m actually happier without it. I will leave feeling really good about myself. So does it matter that I left without a ball?” Jameson also bought and gave Mrs. Morey an acrylic box to display her baseball.

 

May we, too, be intentional in looking out for the interests of others.

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4

 

Minutes into Moments

For the 2026 NFL Draft, Fernando Mendoza was expected to be the number one pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. Knowing the trip to Pittsburgh would have been difficult for his mother, Elsa Mendoza who has Multiple Sclerosis, he chose to take the phone call at his childhood family home in Coral Gables, Florida, surrounded by family and friends. Mendoza was praised by analysts and fans alike for his commitment to his family. Scott Joyner commented, “Mendoza’s story highlights the balance between professional ambition and personal values in high-pressure situations. After receiving the call and putting on a Raiders cap, there were plenty of hugs and much celebration. Fernando used his first interview to glorify God. “College was fantastic. I’m so blessed to have that career, but now I step into a great game of the NFL. Look forward to proving and earning it every single day. The last five months has been such a blessing by God. I can’t thank Him enough.”

Before the Kingwood and Katy baseball game on May 8, the parents came together to pray for the players, game, and to thank God for blessing the young men with the opportunity to play. Kathy Smith stated that both teams were prayed for, with Jesus having the win, no matter the outcome of the game.

 

A man was filmed while shoveling overgrown grass off of a city sidewalk. When asked why he did it, he responded, “It’s not my job, but this is my neighborhood.”

 

Shelia Jeffrey was in the process of deleting footage off the home security film when she noticed an encounter with her husband, Neal, and the UPS driver. Neal was standing in the driveway when the man delivered a package for Sheila. After being handed the package, Neal took the time to let the delivery man know he appreciated him and the job he was doing. Sheila commented, “Neal didn’t know the camera was recording!! He wasn’t performing in front of anyone!! With tears in my eyes I watched him Bless this stranger and make him feel important for even a few moments! This is what Neal does intentionally making his Minutes into Moments!!”

 

May we, too, be intentional about making our “Minutes into Moments” as we help others feel seen, special, helped, and appreciated.

 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

Thoughts to Act Upon

 

"Attitude is a choice.

Happiness is a choice.

Optimism is a choice.

Kindness is a choice.

Giving is a choice.

Respect is a choice.

Whatever choice you

make makes you.

Choose wisely.”

~ Roy T. Bennett

 

 

“It’s the thoughts

we water each day

that become the

GARDEN

we live in…

be kind to you.”

~ Danielle Leikvold

 

 

“Contentment isn’t when

we have enough.

It’s when what we have

is enough.”

~ Rachel Cruze

 

 

“GRACE is when God gives us good

 things that we don’t deserve.

MERCY is when He spares us

from bad things we deserve.

BLESSINGS are when He is

generous with both.”

~ Author Unknown

 

 

“Gratitude is not

pretending life is easy.

It is remembering

God is still good.”

~ Amy Klutinoty

 

 

“What lies behind us

and lies before us

are small matters

compared to what

in within us.”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

 

“KINDNESS AND LOVE

WILL ALWAYS BE THE

RIGHT OUTFIT.”

~ Bob Goff

 

 

“When you have a friend

that’s going through a storm,

don’t become a broadcaster.

Get an umbrella and

cover them with love.”

~ Unknown

 

 

“There are two

things we get

every day -

a chance and

a choice.”

~ Bonnie Baker Kent

 

 

“Jesus healed a man

because of his friend’s faith.

The friends you pick matter.”

~ Betty Smith

 

 

May God give us wisdom to delete what is not needed and add what is beneficial.

 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

 Colossians 3:12