Summer Days, Double Plays, and Lovin’ Like Jesus

When I think about the 4th of July, I hear Ray Charles singing America The Beautiful as Smalls, Benny, Yeah-Yeah and the rest of the gang head out their front doors for that special evening baseball game in The Sandlot.  The entire neighborhood is celebrating with a potluck party and it’s a beautiful picture of community fellowship right there in the cul-de-sac. As the fireworks go off overhead, the boys make sweet memories of the joys of being kids on a hot, mid-summer night.  “We played our best then because I guess we all felt like the big leaguers under the lights of some great stadium,” Smalls recalls.

The truth is, while I didn’t always know a ball from a strike, America’s favorite pastime has grown on this baseball mom and Summer has always held a special place in my heart. What really stands out to me about this famous movie scene is the pure and simple joy. There’s something peaceful and romantic about this neighborhood gathering that takes place in 1962. It’s something you don’t see very often in today’s fast-paced, digital world. Over the past fifty years our society has drifted from front-porch sittin’ neighbors to those who pull in the drive and immediately close the garage.

In The Midst Of War
We observe 4th of July as a remembrance of the independence the forefathers of our country took by signing the Declaration of Independence and announcing the separation of the 13 original colonies from Great Britain. Of course, there’s always a price to pay for freedom and we know it wasn’t as simple as the signing of that great document. While the American Revolutionary War has long been over, we are in fact in the midst of a spiritual war every day. It’s a war being fought for our souls, whether we are fully aware of it or not.

Our society has changed so much from that sweet scene in The Sandlot. We consider it standard to carry around a device that can connect us in a second to someone clear across the world, yet we’ve neglected the impact of getting to know someone across the street. Even more alarming, loneliness has even been linked to an increased risk of death according to research conducted by psychologists at Brigham Young University. The Covid-19 Pandemic really impacted how we socialize and made isolation and loneliness even more of a reality for many over the past couple years. The Enemy is having a field day. What a sad impact it has on the world and our future generations when we are away from each other – away from fellowship.

More Connected, Yet More Lonely Than Ever

Ironically, millennials, who seem to be more connected than most through their use of social media, may be more lonely than their grandparents. The Internet often makes people feel lonely because it encourages the substitution of a real relationship with an online relationship. Connections online tend to be superficial. Online communication is not a substitute for the real thing. A screen will never love back.

While social media has its place, I think we need to work to be more concerned with what’s going on beyond the screen of our phones.

Made For Fellowship
We were made to be together. In fellowship we can say things to keep each other believing – to up lift, encourage and bless one another. Even something as simple as a smile or a hug can mean a lot to a person. Let’s do more loving on the people around us. Let go of the judgement, politics and resentment. We just need to reach out and start with a smile and say “Hi.” It’s amazing what will happen when we love like Jesus. Bob Goff, author of Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People, says “It’s this simple: I want people to meet you and me and feel like they’ve just met everybody in heaven.” That’s what I want, too. I want to just love big and demonstrate Jesus to my kids so they can love like Him, too.

Many have gone before us to defend our country so we can live free and experience the joy of summer nights and baseball games. And there was one who gave everything to truly set us free. I encourage you to share your light and bring the hope and peace of Jesus to others in your neighborhood and community. Build a bridge of hope and spread kindness. This Independence Day, may Christ shine brighter and bolder in you than any fireworks display ever could!

Galatians 5:13-14
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Amy Potter

Amy Potter is a prayer warrior, wife, mother, teacher, writer, marketer, baker - a Supermom. She’s been writing since she could pick up pen and paper. Amy has been published nationally in magazines and newspapers, including Incentive Magazine and The Southeast Outlook. She teaches communication and graphic design courses online at Southern New Hampshire University, and previously taught at the University of Louisville for 15 years. She’s also been working in the marketing industry, alongside her sister, for more than 25 years helping clients with a variety of marketing, branding, strategy, print, digital, design and publishing needs at Creative Marketing. Amy has been married to her husband, Bryan, for 17 years and she loves homeschooling their two children. When she’s not at a travel baseball game with her son, or helping out as a dance mom with her daughter, you can find her writing. Amy can be reached at amy@createmarketing.com.

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One comment

  1. What a beautiful and thought provoking article, Amy! I’m with you and Bob Golf- let’s love people!

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