sportsmanship at it's finest

i heard this story on espn radio tonight. tears welled in my eyes in the car and when i read the article at home. i hope i would exemplify an extreme act of sportsmanship, not just as a enthusiast of the game but as a Christian. this story is especially near to my heart as i am currently playing in a softball league and have torn my acl. for the sports fans/players out there, take heart!

um, do i throw like a girl?

i've been told that i do, in 8th grade. it's one of my few memories from little league. my girly arm will be tested tonight as i practice with my team. yes, i've agreed to play for my church's softball team. i haven't thrown a ball, picked up a bat, fielded a ground ball, or shagged a pop fly in over a year (maybe closer to a year and a half). for you dedicated readers, you already know my obsession with sports. but i'm not a star at any. i can explain, commentate, give a history of my favorite players, but can i play any of these sports? i play hard (if i'm comfortable in the environment) and can make a few plays (if i've practiced enough to know i can perform the task at hand), but that may be all i will offer.
so i suppose time will tell if i let my awkward, clumsy demeanor take over or if the sportsaholic will prevail. and will i be able to say, "my name is sarah and i throw like a girl! what's it to ya??"

credit card blunder

i hate to admit making mistakes, especially mistakes involving money. this month, i completely forgot to make a payment on my credit card. i realized my error on the due date, but had no time to run to the bank. i called the company to let them know i would be making a payment the next day and to find out how likely my chances were of getting the late fee reversed. the ever so courteous (extreme sarcasm) customer service rep told me the company does not reverse fees. i was so infuriated i hung up the phone while the guy was still talking. i drove around a bit and tried to calm my emotions enough to put on a happy face at small group. i think it worked, but inside i was still mad. i hate making mistakes!!!! over the course of the evening and into the next day, my heart was softened and i prayed the devil wouldn't attack my heart with anxiety and frustration.
i went to the bank the next day all prepared to tell the window teller that i had a brain fart and was not trying to shaft the company. i think the only thing the teller said to me was "hello" and "have a good day". i would just call the company later. despite my own short-comings with my emotions, God had relaxed my heart and i haven't been stressed out about the late payment. i just checked my account online to see if my payment and the late fee hit my account so i can attempt to grovel to another customer service rep tomorrow. low and behold, i have a late fee reversal posted to my account.
honestly, my first thought was how great is my God! despite my anger and frustration, he showed me again how merciful and mighty He is! i'm so thankful He reminded me of His love in the small, seemingly insignificant, way that i might remember nothing is too big for my God. no matter how frustrated i get He will not leave me or forsake me. to God be ALL the glory for the things He has, is, and will do!

i'm baffled

i have very little tolerance for stereotyping. the few exceptions are for, well, now that i am here thinking i realize i don't want this post to be about those few exceptions. the point is, i don't like generalizations about a specific group of people, specifically racial stereotyping. it disgusts me to be honest. it's completely unattractive. i've never understood why these types of comments are funny. i have nothing else to say other than i'm baffled by it's use in the Christian community!