A few days ago, we went bowling with friends. I can’t remember the last time we bowled as a family, and it was so much fun.
The dads in the group were the strongest bowlers among the two families, but everyone was fairly laidback. No one was that concerned with winning or competing at a high level. It was an encouraging group. There were lots of laughs and many high-fives, even for mediocre—and at times even poor—play.
As we bowled, I found myself thinking that the sport offered a great format for two families with teens to connect and have fun. We left many pins standing and watched more gutter balls than I’d like to admit. It didn’t matter. Everyone was having a good time.
We were nearing the end of the game when one of the teens stepped forward and bowled a strike. We cheered and cheered.
Then I stepped up and—unbelievably, given my performance the rest of the game—also bowled a strike. We cheered and cheered some more.
Then—and you’re not going to believe this—our older son stepped up and also bowled a strike. We practically lost our minds.
Three balls rolled down the alley for three consecutive strikes. It didn’t seem possible. If we had set out to do that in advance, we could never have managed it. If we had put the pressure on ourselves to make it happen, we would have been too stressed to execute it. But somehow, when we were just having fun and trying to knock down a few pins, we pulled it off.
I still can hardly believe it happened.
But good things happen. Unexpected things happen. Things that are bigger and better than we can even imagine happen. You might not even be trying that hard or hoping that hard or praying that hard. But good things come our way all the time. After all, God is good and all loving and all powerful—and he wants us to be happy.
Yes, plenty of bad and terrible things occur in life. Yes, there is tragedy and sickness and evil and sorrow. But we are also showered with goodness and beauty and wonder and grace. And, as we close out one year and begin another, we have the chance to reflect with gratitude and look forward with hope.
We won’t always bowl a strike. We might never bowl a strike. But we might be surprised to find that once in a while, we will roll that ball down the alley, and all the pins will come crashing down. It might be a big important moment, or it might just be part of a fun game. But no matter what the days and months ahead hold, there will be joy.
Only God knows what tomorrow has in store, but we can be sure he has something good in mind for us. So, let’s step up and give it our best shot.
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