A Child Shall Lead Them
by Steve Higginbothamhttp://www.preachinghelp.org
I remember reading the following story and thought it contained a valuable lesson for us. The events occurred on a little league baseball diamond in Wellington, Florida. A seven-year-old first baseman, Tanner Munsey, fielded a ground ball and tried to tag a runner going from first to second base.
The umpire, Laura Benson, called the runner out, but young Tanner immediately ran to her side and said, " Ma'am, I didn't tag the runner. " Umpire Benson reversed herself, sent the runner to second base.
Two weeks later, Laura Benson was again the umpire and Tanner was playing shortstop when a similar play occurred. This time Benson ruled that Tanner had missed the tag on a runner going to third base, and she called the runner safe. Tanner looked at Benson and without saying a word, tossed the ball to the catcher and returned to his position.
Benson sensed something was wrong. " Did you tag the runner? " She asked Tanner.
His reply: " Yes. "
Benson then called the runner out. The opposing coaches protested until she explained what had happened two weeks earlier. " If a kid is that honest, " she said, " I have to give it to him. "
If there is a Christian value that is lacking in our society today, it is honesty. People are dishonest in the workplace. They are dishonest in school. They are dishonest to their parents. They are dishonest to their spouses. They are dishonest to their government. People have grown so accustomed to dishonesty, that actions such as lying and cheating are often committed without a twinge of guilt.
Friends, as Christians, we cannot be squeezed into the mold of this world. One of the most visible ways to proclaim our discipleship to Christ today is by living with integrity and providing all things honest in the sight of all men.
Please be careful. Don't sear your conscience. Maintain your integrity. Speak the truth - Always, even to your own harm. And maybe by your actions, someone watching on will trust you enough to listen to you about the God you serve.
Give it some thought.
Article submitted Tuesday, May 12, 2009 & read 49 times.
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