By Greg Miller © 2019

John, 17, was very glad he had been born in July.

“It’s one of the warmest months of the year,” he told his mom, June, and his dad, Joseph. “And you know how much I really love warm weather, right, mom and dad?”

“That’s right, son!” exclaimed June. “You’ve loved warm and hot weather your whole life!”

“I seem to have much more energy during the late spring, the summer and early autumn,” John said. “I have so much energy during these months that I don’t need very much sleep. It’s like God has blessed me with a huge dose of supernatural energy.”

“I believe God must have blessed me like that, too,” said June. “When you were younger, I often had to pray for additional strength from the Lord just to keep up with you, and He always supplied His energy in my life.”

Joseph also realized God had provided an abundance of supernatural strength for him. “I know what you mean, son,” chuckled Joseph. “I needed a double portion of God’s energy just to keep up with the two of you.”

Since July was John’s birthday month, he celebrated by spending most of his summer vacation visiting orphanages and nursing homes in his hometown. In the orphanages, he read stories to the children about God’s creation. In the nursing homes, he walked down the hallways with the residents, listening to stories about their lives and learning from their experiences.

John was happily anticipating his senior year of high school. “I want to earn my diploma, then complete my college degree,” he told his mom.

“What are you planning to study in college?” asked his father.

“I’m going to earn multiple degrees,” John promised. “First, I’m going to enjoy a career as a history teacher. After I’ve taught for about 20 years, I plan to sell real estate for about 10 years before my final job.”

“What’s your final job going to be? Asked June.

“I’m going to finish my working career by becoming a pitcher for a major league baseball team,” John replied.

“A pitcher?” Joseph queried. “Won’t you be a little bit old for a major league baseball career?”

“Not at all,” John responded. “While I’m working my other jobs, I’ll be practicing all my pitches, so I’ll be more than ready when the time comes. Plus, I’m going to be a ‘closer,’ so normally I’ll only have to pitch one or two innings per game.

“It will be fun saving games, because baseball is a hot weather sport, so every day the weather will be perfect!"

"You'll be the hottest reliever in baseball!" grinned Joseph.

“And that’s so cool!” John exclaimed. “Very very cool!”

To contact the writer of this column about speaking engagements (in the U.S.A.), including Christian Comedy Fundraising Outreaches, Christian Creativity Seminars and/or puppet ministry, please type “Speaking Engagements” in the subject line and e-mail [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].

By Greg Miller  2018

 Greg is retired from the Elizabethton STAR Newspaper, after working there for almost 23 years. He now freelances for the paper. Contact email address is [email protected], also facebook.com/kidcool4jesus. Available for speaking engagements/other ministries. Jesus is Lord