The sun was just beginning to set when I started on my daily walk. I had not gone more than 75 yards when a plastic whiffle ball sailed through the air and landed at my feet.

                I heard the chatter of small boys playing on the other side of a wall. "You knocked the ball out into the street," said one voice. "We'll have to go get it."

                I quickly picked up the ball and hurled it in their direction, and then heard, "Hey, look! There's the ball. Someone threw it back."

                I then recognized the voice of a five-year-old neighbor who, unable to see me, asked, "Who threw the ball back?"

                I decided to tease him a bit and answered in a kind, but authoritative voice, "God!"

                There was dead silence for at least 10 seconds, while I chuckled to myself. Then the child asked with a curious voice, "Who did you say threw the ball over the wall?"

                "God!" I answered with as much authority as I could muster.

                In an accepting and trusting voice, the boy replied, "Thank you! Thank you very much!"

                I smiled and remembered the words of our Lord, "Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:4, NRSV).

-Charles Ferrell