“READY, SET, GO!” I yell, and he’s OFF! The little boy in my “Dizzy Bat” line who couldn’t be older than 3 or 4 runs towards me giggling with joy, a huge smile plastered on his painted face for all to see! His determination to reach the bat I’m holding is tangible as he sticks his tongue out in serious concentration, his little body wriggling and running just as fast as his little legs will carry him! He finally reaches the bat, grabs hold of it, and after all of his expended effort, just kind of stands there and looks up at me with raised eyebrows as if to say, “What in the world do I do now?” I lean over and physically spin him around the bat that is practically as big as his tiny little body five times and then he’s off again. This time he’s a little off balance, stumbling every few steps but he never stops smiling and laughing the entire way back to his team on the other end of the field. This little boy is full of joy because he is getting to play outside in the sunshine with all his friends. He doesn’t have any shoes on. He’s wearing the same outfit he was wearing yesterday. His teeth are much less than healthy. And who knows where his next meal will come from. But he doesn’t care; it doesn’t matter. He is joyful anyway. I think back to today’s class discussion, which was all about us being “The Lucky Ones” and that to whom much is given, much is required. Well, as Courtney was telling Joanna, the phrase should be, to whom anything is given, much is required. And it’s so true. We have a responsibility to take care of those who aren’t in the position to take care of themselves… like this little boy who hasn’t a care in the world that he’s wearing yesterday’s clothes or doesn’t own a pair of shoes.

So I’m thinking. Here’s this precious “nugget,” as we’ve been calling kids all week, who has so little, yet is so happy. And I find myself so unhappy sometimes despite all of what I do have? I can eat whenever I want. I have a car and can go anywhere anytime I want. I have a closet full of excessive amounts of clothes. Yet I find myself discontent and wanting more of what I already have plenty of? And when I find myself up against obstacles it’s hard for me to just pick myself up off the ground like this little boy did countless times on the field today and keep running with a smile on my face. I learned more today from this little boy and the game of “Dizzy Bat” than I ever could have anticipated. Have joy in the small things. Be thankful in all circumstances. Take care of those who can’t take care of themselves. And when you stumble, get back up and start again with a smile.

-Emily Gregory