Week 33 Bible Reading: 1 Peter 4:7–11

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace. - 1 Peter 4:10

Sara Tucholsky, a softball player for Western Oregon University, hit a home run in a game against Central Washington. But it almost didn’t count. As she rounded first base in excitement, she missed touching the base! Turning around to step on first, she badly twisted her knee. She fell to the ground in pain.

The rules say that for the home run to count, Sara would have to touch all four bases. And her teammates were not allowed to help her.

So Mallory Holtman, the first baseman for the opposing team, talked to the umpire. “Would it be okay if we carried her around?” she asked. The umpire said yes. So Mallory and another teammate made a chair of their hands and carted Sara around the bases so she could “touch ’em all.” By the time they were through carrying her, many were crying at this selfless act of compassion. And Sara was awarded her home run!

What a lesson for us all. When we see someone stumble in life, we can follow the example of these ballplayers. Reach out. Lift others up and carry them along. That way, we “serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace” (1 Peter 4:10).

Lauren Chamberlain, who played for Oklahoma, has the all-time record for home runs in NCAA softball history. She hit ninety-five round-trippers for the Sooners from 2012 to 2015.