God's Coaching #194

God's Coaching #194

Chelsey Kipping was head-over-heels excited about breaking a world record in July 2010. That’s because she hoped to make a new mark for consecutive back handsprings. Chelsey had enjoyed gymnastics since she was four years old. She practiced more than nine hours a week at Barron Gymnastics in St. Louis, Missouri. So when the 13-year-old showed up to the Mon-Clair League’s Valmeyer Mid-Summer Classic baseball tournament, where organizers had arranged for her to perform before the game, she was confident that she could beat the old record of 26 and raise some money for the league.

Chelsey started near third base and flipped toward right field. The baseball announcer and fans started counting as she began her first back handspring. “One, two, three . . .” The crowd kept counting until she hit 32! Chelsey had set a world record.

What’s the Score?

Chelsey’s main reason for back handspringing across a baseball field wasn’t to set a record. Her motivation was to honor former Mon-Clair League president Mel Patton. Mel had been killed the previous year by a drunk driver. Chelsey, her family, and her friends showed up at the field wearing shirts that said, “This one’s for you, Mel!” At the end of her record-breaking performance, Chelsey had raised more than $700 for Valmeyer’s Mon-Clair baseball team and her gymnastics club.

In the Bible, God’s people often did things to honor him. In the beginning of the book of Joshua, the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land as God held back the Jordan River. God commanded Joshua to choose one man from each of Israel’s 12 tribes to pick up a stone from the middle of the river. The men carried these stones to the Israelite camp. Joshua set up these stones as a reminder of God’s power and of the fact that God always keeps his promise.

On the Ball

Read Joshua 3:7–4:18. Sometimes it’s important to create “standing stones” in your life so you can remember what God has done for you. Is there a time in your life when you really saw God’s power at work? Maybe he didn’t stop a river, but perhaps God kept you safe in an accident or healed somebody you love. Never forget that God is alive and active in your life. You may want to go outside and set up some stones in your yard so that every time you look at them, you’ll be reminded of God’s power.

Coach’s Comment

In the future your children will ask you, “What do these stones mean?” Then you can tell them, “They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant went across.” These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever. Joshua 4:6-7