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When I was 8 or 9 I would play baseball with my older brothers and their friends just to be able to play. I would travel all over the city looking for a game and many times we would make our own in an open field near by my house. This was in the good old days before open fields became houses and before kids started playing video games instead of looking for things to do outside.

Wherever I played there were some common aspects of each and every field. One was that when it came to first, second or third base you had to make your own base. You would have to throw a piece of paper down or aluminum can to have a base. This was no problem because there was always something around to use.

Another common piece of each ball field was that there was always a home plate just in front of the backstop. It was dug in the ground, it was going nowhere, and it was very secure. You did not have to go looking for home base it was always there, that you could count on.

As I watch life unfold around me I have become convinced of this; for a healthy family and a good Christian walk, home base needs to be secure. The other parts of your life can shift and change but home base needs to be dug in deep and going nowhere. I believe that in America there is no greater challenge and nothing more important than to keep the home base secure.

Let me give you some similarities to home plate at the ball field and the home.

• No matter where you go you (should) always have somewhere to call home.
• The goal in life is to get home. Though you travel from place to place you always want to get home.
• Let me add something to the last one. Home should always be a place that people want to get to. That should be our goal as parents and grandparents, to create an atmosphere in our homes that people desire to be in.
• For it to really be a home you need for it to be safe and secure. It is a place of rest; you are going nowhere else after you reach home. The battle is over after you reach home, that is how it should be each night as you arrive at the place you call home.
• Home plate is guarded by someone with a bunch of equipment and a big glove ready to make sure no one gets in who shouldn’t. The home should be guarded the same way. Guard your home with love and prayer, give it your best.

**** My favorite comparison of home plate and the home is this. Picture this, as you round third base and head for home there in front of you are those who have been in the battle with you. They are cheering you home, they are waiting for you to arrive and when you do arrive safe and secure they give you a high five, they hug you and they pat you on the back. You have arrived safely and they are glad to see you. Home is were the greatest celebrations take place and when we arrive at our safe and secure heavenly home that will be the greatest celebration of all!

When it comes to the home I simply say keep it secure, keep it safe, guard it with all you have and always keep an eye on the eventually goal our heavenly home…..play ball!

Scripture: Proverbs 27:8, “Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.”

Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Psalms 27:5, “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to create secure and safe homes. Places were people can count on us and we can count on them. Lord help the home to be a place of forgiveness and second chances. Father more than anything we thank you for you heavenly home you have secured for us from the beginning of time and with the blood of your son, and we ask these things in his precious and holy name, the name of Christ, Amen.