Spring Training

Photo by Chris Chow on Unsplash

Although Cleveland baseball fans—on the premise that they suffered long enough on earth—might think that all Cleveland baseball fans will go to heaven, that isn't always the case: 

One day, when one fan's last out came, that fan ended up with a reserved seat in the other, warmer section of the eternal baseball diamond, which for the fan was okay: "too many winters" was the response, no matter how high the devil cranked the flames.

Finally the devil decided, "Well, if I can't toast the fan, I'll freeze the fan." And he brought on the deep freeze. But, to the devil's horror, first the fan started to dance and then to shout, "Cleveland won the World Series! Cleveland won the World Series!" 

A quick disclaimer (case you're wondering) I've not found any biblical support for the sports fan's lament of "hell freezing over." 

However, the "Hymn of Promise" offers us this encouragement: "In the cold and snow of winter, there's a spring" - (and spring training too, say the baseball fans) - "that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see" (words by Natalie Sleeth). 

As the Good Book says, when all else fails, still "these three remain: faith, hope and love" (I Corinthians 13;13).
—Pastor Tom

Today's Lenten Prayer Focus: someone you know in need of hope