"Why we do it", by Rachel Smith

I play on a slow pitch softball team we organized through our church and boy have we been in a slump! In fact, we haven’t won a game all season. I will admit I was having a lot of fun despite the loosing and we were trying awful hard, but then last night I struck out. Not once, but three times! Talk about discouraging! I felt like quitting.

Then God reminded me why we play softball. We don’t play softball to play ball. We play softball to spend time together as a family. We laugh and tease each other and yes sometimes we get frustrated. But in those frustrating moments we encourage and love one another. The time and relationship building is why we play softball, and that is good. The harvest we reap may not put points on a scoreboard, but it will draw us closer to one another and Christ.

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.

"Friends", Rachel Smith

I don’t get to see Lon very often, but when I do we always pick up right where we left off with no effort at all. Some friends are like that. You are able to continue a deep friendship beyond the surface “how’s the job” stuff.

It reminds me of Paul’s letters to the churches. He was updating and teaching his friends. He loved them and missed them. He wanted to encourage them and share what he was doing. But his letters were meant to apply to us today too. Through the words written in the Bible by Paul and others, we stay connected to our friend Jesus. Even if it’s been a long time since you were in touch, you can pick up right where you left off.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.