How a Little Leaguer earned a Major League MVP award

Yesterday I went to visit a friend for lunch. Unfortunately, he was running a bit late, so when I arrived at the restaurant, I decided to sit at the counter and catch some of the Little League World Series game of Texas against Oklahoma. As I placed my food order, I watched these young players nervously pitch and field the balls. They would often miss a catch or throw the ball away.

They would also swing high or low and strike out. These errors reminded me that they are still young and learning. As such, it’s expected that they will make mistakes and eventually learn from them. Then came an unexpected play when right-hand pitcher Kaiden Shelton of Pearland, Texas, was pitching with batter Isaiah Jarvis of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The count was 0-2 when suddenly, the next pitch got away from Shelton and beamed straight into Jarvis’ helmet. However, Jarvis could not dodge the pitch and fell to the ground clutching his head and lying still. Immediately, concerned coaches and staff ran to his aid.

Then, shortly after, Jarvis got up and was cleared to continue playing. He then strolled over and took first base. Shaken, distraught, and with his head down, Shelton breaks down. Seeing this, Jarvis walks over, embraces Shelton, and consuls him by telling him, “Hey, you’re doing great. Let’s go.” At the same time, Shelton’s teammates and coach join the pair.

At that moment, I realized that boy did something many of us men would never do. He humbly walked over and encouraged someone he considered a rival. Even more powerful was that Pearland beat Tulsa 9-4 and advanced to the Little League World Series. However, to me, that boy is the winner of the series. Although he is a Little League player, he’s a Major League MVP.

This act is an excellent reminder of what Scripture teaches us about being humble and lifting others despite our differences. May we as men learn from this Little Leaguer that made a Major League play.

Daily Directive:

Answer and Journal the Following

Read:

Romans 12:15-18
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Pray:

Pray on how you will exemplify Kingdom values when confronted with a worldview approach.

Meditate / Make It Real:

Contemplate and meditate on or memorize the passage. What is God saying to you? Then, determine what you will do with what you’ve learned.

Share / Show:

Share and show what you’ve learned with someone else.