Tuesday night, a doting dad snagged a souvenir for his darling daughter, only to have her throw it away. This may be one of the biggest stories of the week, that of Steve Monforto who caught a foul ball at Tuesday's Phillies game. He, his wife, Kathleen, and daughters, Emily and Cecilia were seated in the first row of the 300 level when Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth fouled a ball toward third-base in the bottom of the fifth. Monforto leaned over and made what Mick Jerrick of “Good Day Philadelphia” called “a tremendous catch.” After fist-bumping surrounding fans, Monforto presented the prize to his 3-year-old princess, Emily, who turned and threw it right back where it came from.
What made the story an instant phenomenon was Steve's response to his daughter. Instead of scolding, rebuking, or disgracing her in front of millions, as many have admitted they would have done, he merely threw open his arms and embraced her, kissing her and telling her it was OK. If this isn't a modern day picture of the love and forgiveness of our heavenly Father, I don't know what is. I pray it is shown in churches across America, and leaders in every denomination will take advantage of this little snippet of reality TV to revisit the simple truths of our Christian faith.
God wants His people to simply turn around, like Emily did, and receive the greatest love of all. It doesn't matter what we have done with the gifts He has given us, whether we've foolishly wasted them in careless living, or purposely squandered them in selfish living like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Despite our youthful ignorance or our mature disobedience, when we return to God through faith in Jesus Christ, He receives with open arms.
“For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” Psalm 86:5
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