As you all know, I am a huge baseball fan. Unfortunately, my team, the Chicago Cubs, had a less than stellar year. However, I enjoy the end of the season because it brings the playoffs. This year, as always, I root for the National League.
Last night, something happened that had only happened one other time in post-season baseball history. A no-hitter was thrown by Roy Halladay. As I listened to broadcast over the internet, I kept getting more and more excited. I was a witness to history in the making (from like 5,000 miles away). The part that struck me the most was that it was the first time ever that the Doc had pitched in the postseason. What a start!
As I have been thinking about it today, I am amazed that at anytime, anything can happen. I believe that there are moments in our lives that things happen that will amaze us. Totally out of the blue. Totally unexpected. In his post-game press conference, Dusty Baker mentioned that as they prepared for the game, they knew it would be tough against this great pitcher, but never expected that the game would turn out as it did.
I think it is the same in our process with God. We can prepare for life as we think it might be, but God shows up in a way never expected. In a crazy way, last night strengthened my faith. I can do all I can do to prepare for whatever lies ahead, but there will be times when something amazing will happen that is totally unexpected.
Amazing! Way to go, Doc.
About Me
- Matt Kling
- Husband, Father, Missionary, Friend, and someone still trying to figure out God's grace.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Trying Yet Again
Well, it has been over year since the last post, but I am going to try this again.
Since our last post, we have lived in 3 different countries and are now in Santiago, Chile. We are still in the adjustment phase of life here, but everyday we learn a little more and keep plugging along.
I have changed the name of the blog to Process. Lately, I have again been reminded that the process of life never ends. So . . . I continue my process with my gracious Heavenly Father and hope that you are processing as well.
Since our last post, we have lived in 3 different countries and are now in Santiago, Chile. We are still in the adjustment phase of life here, but everyday we learn a little more and keep plugging along.
I have changed the name of the blog to Process. Lately, I have again been reminded that the process of life never ends. So . . . I continue my process with my gracious Heavenly Father and hope that you are processing as well.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Rocky Soil
So I haven't blogged in awhile as I am not the resident writer in our family. However, I thought I would try to pick it up again as a way to get some of the thoughts from my head onto paper. Well, not really paper, but you know what I mean.
We recently moved back to Springfield to finish this itineration process we are in, and we have been working outside on some landscaping projects. Good summer activity, I guess. Anyway, we had to remove some dead bushes in the front of the house and as we did this, a few things were made abundantly clear.
1. The bushes were still green on the top and looked fairly decent, but under the top layer, everything was dead. Whether it was a bug, or some type of disease, we are not sure. It made me think. How many times are we and those around us looking good on the outside, but underneath not quite as healthy? It was a reminder for me to look at myself and see what areas in my heart were growing brown and needing pruning. We found that underneath there were 3 plants, but due to lack of care and pruning they that had grown out of control. This had aided the death process along due to the lack of light and crowded space. Another reminder that regular pruning is healthy and needed.
2. After we had removed the bushes, we found that there had been many landscape rocks and because this is Missouri many natural rocks in the soil. Before we can plant grass seed in this space, we have to remove these rocks. As we were "picking rocks" I asked Chase about the parable of the sower. He was aware of the story and helped remind me what the rocky soil meant. As we talked we thought about how Jesus said that His Word is the seed. The rocky soil is like those who hear, but because of a lack of roots, when trouble comes they don't last long.
I thought about this in my present life. What are the rocks that are hindering the growth of God's Word in my life? What trial am I allowing to interfere with my roots setting firm in the soil?
You can learn a lot from working outside. I believe God gives us moments like these to draw us closer to Him.
Thanks for listening to my mumblings . . . maybe next time there won't be such a gap in time between them.
We recently moved back to Springfield to finish this itineration process we are in, and we have been working outside on some landscaping projects. Good summer activity, I guess. Anyway, we had to remove some dead bushes in the front of the house and as we did this, a few things were made abundantly clear.
1. The bushes were still green on the top and looked fairly decent, but under the top layer, everything was dead. Whether it was a bug, or some type of disease, we are not sure. It made me think. How many times are we and those around us looking good on the outside, but underneath not quite as healthy? It was a reminder for me to look at myself and see what areas in my heart were growing brown and needing pruning. We found that underneath there were 3 plants, but due to lack of care and pruning they that had grown out of control. This had aided the death process along due to the lack of light and crowded space. Another reminder that regular pruning is healthy and needed.
2. After we had removed the bushes, we found that there had been many landscape rocks and because this is Missouri many natural rocks in the soil. Before we can plant grass seed in this space, we have to remove these rocks. As we were "picking rocks" I asked Chase about the parable of the sower. He was aware of the story and helped remind me what the rocky soil meant. As we talked we thought about how Jesus said that His Word is the seed. The rocky soil is like those who hear, but because of a lack of roots, when trouble comes they don't last long.
I thought about this in my present life. What are the rocks that are hindering the growth of God's Word in my life? What trial am I allowing to interfere with my roots setting firm in the soil?
You can learn a lot from working outside. I believe God gives us moments like these to draw us closer to Him.
Thanks for listening to my mumblings . . . maybe next time there won't be such a gap in time between them.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Perplexed
Some days I am just perplexed by God's grace. Today is one of those days. I have been in a contemplative mood lately, and just realize, that God must shake His head in wonderment at us humans and how we don't get it most of the time. Anyway, just venting a little.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Dadhood (Part 2)
This morning Ian woke up rather early and was having a hard time sleeping (for whatever reason). I put him in bed with us and he quickly fell into a peaceful sleep. Since it is Thursday and we get up rather early anyway, Kristi and I got up and began to prepare for the day. Ian continued to sleep peacefully under the warmth of the Hudson Bay blanket. As I watched him sleep I again thought about our Heavenly Father. I thought about how I must look when I am sleeping. Psalms 121:3-4 talks about how God never sleeps. He watches over us so that we can find rest and peace. I want to continue to lay down my worries, fears, stresses (etc. you get the point) to Him before I rest so that he can deal with them and I can find peace. Are you sleeping well?
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Dadhood
Sooo. . . I said I wasn't the blogger of the family, but I think I might enjoy this.
Last night when I came home, Kristi and I talked and she expressed that she needed some time to work and concentrate on some of the things that have piled up on her desk, so that gave me the opportunity to have some great one on one time with Chase and Ian. The boys and I went outside and decided to make a fire in our fire pit out back. After Ian went to bed, Chase and I continued having some time outside together. As we were sitting around the fire and talking, I told Chase that I loved him "this much" placing my hands far apart. He said, "Dad, I love you this much" and matched my out-stretched arms. As we sat there I began to think about our Heavenly Father and how much He loves us. Isaiah gives us an idea of the size of God's hands in chapter 40 verse 12. He writes, "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? God reaches out His arms (hands) to us and tells us He loves us "this much". Since his hands are huge, he must love us a lot. It was a cool moment with my son, and a cool moment as a child of God.
Matt
Last night when I came home, Kristi and I talked and she expressed that she needed some time to work and concentrate on some of the things that have piled up on her desk, so that gave me the opportunity to have some great one on one time with Chase and Ian. The boys and I went outside and decided to make a fire in our fire pit out back. After Ian went to bed, Chase and I continued having some time outside together. As we were sitting around the fire and talking, I told Chase that I loved him "this much" placing my hands far apart. He said, "Dad, I love you this much" and matched my out-stretched arms. As we sat there I began to think about our Heavenly Father and how much He loves us. Isaiah gives us an idea of the size of God's hands in chapter 40 verse 12. He writes, "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? God reaches out His arms (hands) to us and tells us He loves us "this much". Since his hands are huge, he must love us a lot. It was a cool moment with my son, and a cool moment as a child of God.
Matt
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