Kandi Farris: Weather on, my friends

First pitch of our baseball season is happening, y'all. My grandkids are gearing up, the schools are gearing up and, being a regular attendee of many a baseball game, I am gearing up.

My "gearing up" includes weather watching. It keeps me up on what equipment will be necessary for comfortable stadium sitting.

I've joined the experienced. Seasoned fans realize the bleachers may require not only a stadium seat but also an assortment of umbrellas, blankets, jackets and heaters. One learns to come dressed in layers. South Mississippi's weather patterns tend to bring a whole new meaning to "quick change artist."

On one cold and rainy day, a dad at the ball field was asked, "What about this weather?" He astutely replied, "It's schizophrenic." That it is my friend, that it is.

In a given week of ballgames, I've watched as people arrive at the field in shorts and tanks only to find themselves freezing when the sun went down. I've found myself melting my rubber soles over a heater on the same day flip-flops had been the norm.

Then there's the rain and wind. If the field isn't flooded a game needs to be played. It's all in a day at the ballpark.

We may complain a bit, but these ballgames are not about our comfort quotient. We know we are here for a purpose, to play ball. We come to cheer on and support our athletes with our presence. It's fun to gripe and at the same time holler our admiration for a play well done or to shout encouragement when the ball goes awry. We are simply there because we want to be there.

There's no mandatory, obligatory reason for being in these stands. There are not many fair-weather fans. Love dictates. Love a player, love a coach, or simply love the game. That'll preach.

My car is loaded with the essentials to be able to withstand the weather because I'm not missing a game if I can help it, because I want to stand by my man or by my grandkids. I pray that we are that diligent in our worship. Loving my heavenly Father and wanting to be in His presence should warrant the same response as a ballgame.

Better is one day in His courts than a thousand elsewhere, y'all. I get to worship. It has been described in scripture as a labor of love and work of faith Love compels us. Attendance is not governed by any ol' weather system. Being a "fair-weathered" believer isn't on the schedule.

Life is a battle, not a game, and to be able to withstand the crazy whirlwind of life it is a privilege to be in the midst of those who take seriously the opportunity not only to sit and worship, but also to be on the field of faith, bearing one another's burdens.

Weather on, friends.

Kandi Farris, a freelance correspondent, also is a speaker on matters of faith and values.

This story was originally published February 26, 2016 at 6:37 PM with the headline "Kandi Farris: Weather on, my friends ."