Bible Study for Ministry, Christian Women, and The Pastor's Wife ~ I Am Included, Part 1

Bible Study for Ministry, Christian Women, and The Pastor's Wife ~ I Am Included, Part 1
     It rained Saturday afternoon. Our ten-year-old grandson spent the night Friday night. He and his Paw-Paw got up very early, and left to go grab donuts and then shoot a few baskets at the park. (In all fairness - they both went to sleep very early Friday night and it was Saturday morning before I ever went to bed! Regardless, they were both noisy from about five A.M. on - so much for being quiet as little mice - until they left just before the donuts were ready at six.)
     After lunch, we were going to go back to the park so I could walk and they could shoot more baskets. By the time I got my shoes on, it started raining.
     Plan B - go to the Osage Center, pay to enter, I walk around the walking path while they shoot baskets. Which we did.
     About fifteen minutes later, they were joined by three brothers: one about ten years old, one - maybe six, and the other brother of about fourteen. The four oldest were merrily playing. In truth, they were playing keep away from the little guy in the middle with a very sad face. In three or four of my laps, he's still standing there without ever touching a single ball.
     As I past the basket at end of the court, I call the four big guys over. My husband and grandson and the little about our grandson's age quickly came. The big brother asked, "Who me?" 
     "Yes, you, too," I replied. "Hey, guys, ya'll let the little brother play, too."
     Big brother said, "But he's got to hustle."
    "I agree, but give him a chance."
     Now, all five are playing and all five, including little brother, are happy. It does feel good to be included! It so hurts to be excluded. (One more lap and I decide to shoot the ball - so help, little brother hustled the ball away from me!)
     Well, on the other half of the court, a two-some was going on with college age or older young men. Then there were five down there and they invited the big brother to play to make six. Soon two more joined and it was four against four.
     I noticed in my laps, that big brother didn't get the ball too often. He usually made the basket when he did but it was a real struggle because he was so out matched in size by the other guys. (And no, I did not tell the big guys to include him!)
     "Lord, please let this incident be a reminder to all involved how great it feels to be included and how sad it feels to be excluded. And Lord, You give us the choice to include or exclude. Help us to choose as You would chose."

Be blessed in The Name above every name. Jesus! I know I am!
Linda L Culbreth


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