Sweet spot...

Hey all. I recognize that it's been a while since I've posted. Definitely not for lack of desire because I've had this one on the brain for over a month now. It's a fairly simple thought, but it's taken on new life and proven itself over and over each new week that passes by.

I've called it sweet spot and of course that is a term that comes from my sports nerdiness. This concept applies for most every sport, but the two in particular that I want to focus on are basketball and baseball. The sweet spot in baseball typically means that spot on the baseball bat where when it is hit you get the best performance and most impactful hit off of the bat. Often times if the ball hits a few inches higher or lower on the bat a vibration goes through the bat that makes the hit not nearly as hard and it really does not feel good on the hands. In basketball if we find a sweet spot it typically means that there is a particular place on the court that we find where we seem to be able to hit our shots at a much higher percentage than other places on the court and our confidence in shooting from this area is much greater than other places.

In life it would seem that I've found my sweet spot and it is my desire that (like the bat) my life would make the biggest impact and (like in basketball) I would be able to walk confidently daily as God seemingly opens door after door to bless and meet the needs of those that the ministries of Boaz comes in contact with. It is incredible that we seem to be continuing to say, "Look what God did" as we strive to serve and meet the "felt needs" of others with the knowlege that as we meet those needs the hearts of many will be softened to the amazing, life changing truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This hit a whole new level of awesome for me this past weekend as I was able to see my son participate in Boaz ministry. He calls himself "Jr. Staff" and I love having him be a part of what I do with this. This weekend past we were able to spend some time with an amazing little guy (8) who it appears does not have a lot of friends and our ministry has been given many opportunities to provide for this family. As my son (8) and this guy began to hang out there was zero awkwardness of meeting someone new and they played football (catching and kicking) for over and hour and could have gone all day. As we drove to McDonald's Vaughn was thrilled that he got to see Johnny again and said, "I call dibs on sitting next to Johnny!!!" How this crybaby (me) kept it together is still a mystery to me.

As we got home that night I told Vaughn how proud of him I was and how impacting his friendship to this new friend was for so many reasons. Vaughn's response was simply, "I like him. He's cool. I want his number so we can play more." Simple. Just the night before my son said to me, "People don't love Jesus? Impossible!" This football and McDonalds day gave me such a great opportunity to show Vaughn just how much he showed his new friend and his family the love of Jesus by simply being in their world.

So yeah, this is my sweet spot as God increases His heart in me for these amazing people I come in contact with weekly and now I see my son becoming (maybe unknowingly) a missionary of love to the city around him... many of which don't know/love Jesus... He (Vaughn) will change that I'm sure. To say I am blessed and grateful would be a gross understatement.

I do want to quickly ask you to conider something though. I've been challenged to step up with my support raising to make this ministry more effective for myself and those I come in contact with. My current goal is $1200 over the next 3 months and I have $330 committed to me. That leaves me with $870 to raise over those months. Would you consider being a part of that? Some of you who read this could do that in one shot and some can contribute in part. All support is greatly appreciated as it increases my ability to dive in and give all I have to this ministry. Reality is this. If I need approx $900 then all I need is 10 people to say they will give 30 dollars a month and the goal is reached. (can of pop or coffee/day.. I know.. shouldn't mess with coffee)

If God so lays it on peoples heart to bless beyond that, fantastic, but that is my goal for now. Will you be a part of this? Contact (facebook, twitter, 999-1355 or s.leighton2@gmail.com) me if you want to do this and I will gladly help you help myself and this amazing ministry where God is blessing many, including myself. So much be done in this "sweet spot". Please consider joining my team. See what I did there??? :)