Date: 6/17/2010
<br>Author: Devin
<br>Title: The Josh Lesson
<br><br>June 16, 2010<br><br><br>It has been quite a while since I spent some quality time in the confessional box so I thought I would share with you my latest installment.  It is no secret to anyone that I like sports and enjoy playing them from time to time.  Granted, I'm not very good at any of them, but at the very least it provides me a little exercise every now and then.  A couple of Sundays ago a bunch of us got together at Dick and Linda Smith's house for an afternoon of fun, food and fellowship along with a short period of worship.  After the final amen was said, some of us decided to go out into the front yard and play a game that resembled football except you played it with a Frisbee.  The two teams were a mixture of old dudes like me and a few younger chaps.  Quincy Cochran, Tristan Cost, Josh Copley and Jordan Pickard decided they wanted to mix it up with their senior citizen dads and some other ancient beings on the 'ole turf.  As the game progressed, and as it seems to happen more times than not, some of us older folks began treating the game like it was the Frisbee Super Bowl Championship of the World.  I can only speak for myself, but I sometimes get a little too serious and even a bit chippy when in the heat of competition of any kind.  But I noticed something, while some of us were treating this front yard pick up game like is was being nationally televised, the four younger ones I mentioned above were just all out there to have a good time.  They ran around that yard and played the game for what it was ...... a game.  There was no trophy being played for and no ten foot cardboard check that would be presented to the victors when the final horn sounded.  It is amazing what you can learn from children and how much teaching they really do without even knowing it ..... (segway here) .....<br><br><br>I mentioned Josh Copley above as one of the bold young men who wanted dive into competition with the older dudes.  Josh's dad, Ken, told me a story Sunday that just melted my heart and I couldn't wait to sit down at this keyboard to share it with you.  Josh plays little league baseball and was recently called safe as he ran into second base on a close play.  Ken said he noticed that after the ump called Josh safe and began walking back to their spot on the field that Josh called the ump over and said  something in their ear.  After the conversation, Ken says he noticed that Josh took his helmet off and ran back to the dugout.  It then quickly became apparent what had happened.  Rather than being safe, the call was overturned and Josh was deemed to be out.  But, not  by the umpire or some other official ...... but rather by Josh himself.  Evidently Josh knew that he was actually tagged with the ball before he got to the base and he told the umpire as much.  (let me stop here for just a second while this lump goes back down in my throat)<br><br><br>Josh could have easily not said a word and remained safe on second base, but you see, Josh has much better clarity than most of us several years his senior.  It is just a game to him, nothing more and nothing less.  It is not life and death, it is not the end-all, be-all substance of his life.  He is just a little boy who even at his young age understands what it is to be honest and to take responsibility for doing the right thing in all circumstances.  I am beginning to understand more and more what Jesus meant when he said we should be like children.  Mary and Ken Copley have sure done a good job with their son. Thank you Josh for teaching me about more than just Frisbee football and little league baseball.   I know Josh could not wrap any better present to give Ken for Father's Day than the one he gave him on second base that night.  Happy Fathers Day to you all :)<br><br><br>  Go the extra mile - Devin <br>