THE BALL THAT WENT OVER THE FENCE

It was an ordinary day and part of my ordinary day was escorting   our two little furry critters, Chelsea and Winnie, to the tranquil park behind our home.   I knew by the dogs’ behavior that morning they were getting restless and waiting for their walk.   It brings a chuckle to my heart when I recognize that the dogs get our routine down to a science and by their calculation the “outing to the park” was about an hour over-due.

I gathered their leashes, and picked up their ball, and off we went.  The park is bordered by a wide paved path that surrounds the entire walkway.  This last season, the park had been fenced off with a 7’ high fence-enclosure in the center part of the park.  

Our destination was the far corner of the park.   This particular corner is fenced in for those to play basketball on a properly paved court.   That fenced in area is always our focus at the end of our walks, because I can turn the dogs loose without worry of them running off somewhere, and we can freely play ball. 

Our blonde Pomeranian adored that part of the park, and so did I, because I could toss the ball and watch her wear herself out retrieving it.   Her stamina to retrieve is up to 22 retrievals of the bright orange ball.  It’s so bright a color, you could spot it a good distance away and seldom was her ball not in her sight.

This morning we rounded the last area of the lap around the park, and as I glanced over to the fenced in court area, I noticed that a young Chinese lad was practicing his basketball skills.   He was occupying our “get the ball, Winnie” court area.   I know the court doesn’t have our name on it; but honestly, we’re there daily, around the same time; so others should recognize our commitment to that play time.

We even slowed our approach, thinking perhaps this young man would be tired of playing basketball by himself.   But no, he remained at his playing post.   By this time I began to think creatively.    This little Pomeranian needed exercise!  Knowing she wouldn’t leave her ball, I began to toss the ball and she’d run as fast as her little 3” high legs would take her to grab that ball in her mouth, and then roll it towards me so we could continue the “ball” game. 

Things were going along quite nicely until I over-extended my pitching arm and the projectile of the ball took it right over the seven foot high fence.  This fence was about seven feet high.   I went over to the area and it didn’t take me long to figure out that I was not going to be able to get the ball.   The fun and games were over.

I paused, and thought perhaps the young boy would see me and our “ball dilemma”, but no, he continued playing oblivious to our need of assistance.  Realizing this ball was not coming home with us, and Winnie was not a happy camper, so I figured we might as well head back home.   She gave me such a mournful look, but there was no way I was going to attempt to hike over that fence myself.

This ball was not just an ordinary ball.  It was an indestructible one, and for our little blondie, this was important. 

I was just about to vacate the area and head home, when God brought a Scripture verse to my mind.   It was Proverbs 3: verses 5 & 6…..”Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding.  In ALL YOUR WAYS, ACKNOWLEDGE HIM and He SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATH.”

About this time, you may be wondering how this verse fits in to the ball-over-the-fence scenario.   I just love it that the Lord wants to be involved in all our activities and that He does delight in the “details of our lives.”    There’s no stipulation as to the type of activity.

So, right then and there, I had the option of returning home or, the thought entered my mind to pray, and just ask God to help me get that $8 orange ball back where it belonged….in my hand.   

I was still not physically prepared to hike the fence, but the fact remained that I ‘asked God to help me.’  I think if Winnie was human, she would have barked a loud “amen” at the request. 

The thought came to me to walk around the park again.   I wasn’t thinking of the walls of Jericho at the time, but all I knew was that I had asked for God’s help, and another walk around the park gave Him time to come up with His reply.

In our circle around the park, I found a 6’ piece of bark from a tree.   I thought, this is God’s answer.  Ten minutes later we’re coming around the bend where the young man was still bouncing balls in the net.   I approached the fence with my “answer to prayer stick.”  I poked the stick through the fence to where the ball was laying, but my reach was two feet short of the location of the ball.  

Just as I was pulling the stick out of the fenced area, I felt someone approaching us.  You’ll never believe it.   It was the young basketball player.   He had noticed us and came over.

It was obvious from the start that he could not speak a word of English and I couldn’t communicate in Mandarin to him.   But by his facial expression and flaying arms, he told me he would climb over the fence and get the ball.

Before I could take a breath, he was over the fence, got the ball and with electric speed hiked his young, athletic body back over the fence.   Winnie was dancing with excitement and enthusiasm as only a little Pomeranian can do, and I was dancing inside with joy myself thanking the Lord for His intervention in such a “small matter.”  What a lesson!

You’d better sit down now for the rest of the story! 

The young Chinese boy was about sixteen. After passing the ball over to Winnie, he came right over to me.  I was so over-joyed….and my body language must have indicated that I wanted to give him a hug.  He approached me with his arms extended and gave me a long hug…..a hug like he’d give his mother.  I hugged him back with enthusiasm as well.   Young Chinese boys customarily do not behave in that manner, especially to strangers.

“Lord, how do I say thank you to this young guy in Mandarin?”  Moments seemed like hours, then my mind kicked in gear, “Xie Xie.”   I shouted out a Mandarin thank you and his eyes grew big as giant marbles.   I wanted him to know I was so appreciative of his kindness.  

The young man went back to the court to continue playing and we took off for home.   I only know a few phrases in Mandarin, but for the life of me, I couldn’t remember “thank you.”

And all the way home I was thanking God for His kindness and provision at the park through a perfect stranger.   God is so kind and so aware of our every step and every dilemma.  

I’ll never get over how God delights to share our days and “ordinary ways” with us.