Lake Mary Champions

Cheers erupted as the player slid into home plate for the extra inning run to win the game. During the series, the Little League boys from Lake Mary played hard and didn’t give up even when they were behind. 

            Yellow shirted fans cheered loudly from the stands. Back home in Florida, watch parties celebrated. The entire community and beyond rejoiced at Florida’s first ever World Championship. 

            After losing to Texas, the double elimination tournament gave them a second chance. They beat Texas in a later game but consoled the losing team. 

            During the games, their love for baseball, their families and each other showed. Even though they went to Pennsylvania to play baseball, they didn’t forget to be kind and compassionate.

            Immediately after scoring the winning run, they displayed how to be true champions. When the boys saw the tears of the losing Chinese Taipei team, the Florida players put their arms around the boys and offered comfort. Their coach squatted down to console a devastated boy. Their kindness brought tears to my eyes as I watched boy after boy support their rivals. 

            They were baseball champs but more importantly champions in the way they live.  Interviews with parents during the series also showed families who cared about loving others. 

            We need to celebrate the Lake Mary Little League Champions for what they did on and off the field. 

            As adults we can learn how to live well by emulating the actions of the Lake Mary Champions. 

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

Loving Father, help us remember to be kind and loving to those around us even if they are different from us. Turn enemies into friends. We can often learn from children. 

Amen