Play ball?

“Summertime and the livin’ is easy.”

At least that’s what the old song said. It must have been written before little league was invented.

Parents and grandparents log more miles during summer — and most of the year, for that matter — than the rest of us can even imagine.

My eight year-old nephew in the past year played football, soccer, basketball and baseball. He is a Scout. He will probably be at several different day camps in the next months — at churches, Des Moines Blank Park Zoo,and a few other places.

My brother, who is a little cynical (and a lot cheap!), calls it “Pay to play.”

I’m not smart enough to know how to raise children today. Nor am I against sports. I’ve seen soccer matches in Bolivia and can tell you who lost the 1935 World Series.

The activities of the kids are only examples of how any of us can get caught up in a whirlwind of busyness very quickly. For some it may be very enjoyable and make sense. For others it may feel like life is out of control.

The Ten Commandments enjoin us not to worship false gods.  Most of us skip quickly over that one since we haven’t constructed any golden calves in our back yards and the other nine seem much more of an issue.

In this day and age, however,  the commandment is a wake-up call to examine what is central in our lives. The believer automatically says that God is central and probably believes that.

How we spend our time and what we do with our money are better indicators of what our lives really are about. For many, possessions are their god.

Sports has become a god. Security can become our god, whether as individuals or a nation.

We don’t necessarily try to abandon the Almighty,  but so many other preoccupations, wants and needs can quickly push God into the background. The other things are not evil, but they can sweep us away like a flood.

There are parents who spend so much time working to earn money for their families that they have no time left for those loved ones. Likewise, unless we keep a sense of balance and priorities, we will lose that center which is true life.

And do take it easy at least once in a while this summer. Smell the roses and bask in the wonder and glory of our creator.