Yesterday in the morning I thought about how resentment is re-feeling. I also thought about how the thing that is different about faith for me today is that is an active faith with a practical application, not just belief.

At work I and my teammates got our butts reamed in a meeting for doing poorly on some tests and system testing. We were threatened with multiple firings soon. One of our leaders said that we should imagine that there is a gun on the table and some of us are targets. He said that he thought about bringing an actual gun. During the meeting i managed to control my feelings and stay objective. I was able to restrain my tongue but speak up when necessary.

Afterward my thoughts quickly began to spiral into resentment fear and morbid reflection.

As the day progressed I had to pray and turn my thoughts to God's plan many times. I sensed that the balance was tenuous but by the time I got to baseball practice I was able to remember inside that God will provide for us and that my family and community life is what is really important. I got to talk to my dad about the spiritual life some before I was recruited to pitch.

We were late getting home and by the time we visited with my parents and bathed the kids (my wife was at work) I was exhausted and passed out without doing an evening review.

When we woke up the kids were very enthusiastic about their religious childrens programs. I was moved by a particular moment when Jesus asked the Pharisee "which man was the most neighborly?".

This morning we had an early baseball game and photo session. I was invited to stand in the photo even though I am officially not a coach.

It was a very close game but we lost by one point. My son played very well. I got to connect with many parents both on my team and not. Most importantly I got to talk to a guy who is trying to get on his sobriety feet.

My wife and I bickered about lunch but then we made amends. I talked to her about the turmoil at my job and she gave me strong words of support and encouragement that quickly made the feelings that were beginning to return go away.

In the afternoon I got to mow the grass and teach my son to mow. I got to cook some hamburgers and trim branches. I can't believe that I am looking forward to using my chain saw.

I passed by the 12 step meeting house and saw that they had cut down a giant oak tree next to the building. I was apalled and deeply saddened. I can't believe that people don't get something like that. I am sure that the people who made that decision had a good reason but I still can't believe it.

This evening my family and I went out to a very nice greenbelt and had a long walk.

Thanks be to God.