According to a November 13 AP story, Steve “the Grape Guy” Spalding believes he has set two new world records for grape catching. Spalding caught 116 tossed grapes in his mouth in three minutes, what he believes is a new world record for speed grape catching. He also set a personal best record for endurance grape catching by using his mouth to catch 1,203 grapes thrown from a distance of 15 feet over a half hour period. Unfortunately, no Guinness World Record officials were present, but he hopes video evidence will verify his world record performances.

            “The Grape Guy” is 44 years old and lives in Dallas, Texas. His exploits make me wonder how he discovered he has this special talent. I presume he must have a regular job. It doesn’t seem like catching grapes would be too lucrative—and then he has some overhead costs—grapes aren’t cheap, you know.

            Developing a talent like catching grapes in your mouth must take some effort. Even things that seem to be inconsequential to most of us, like grape catching, require time and energy. I wonder how much of our time and energy is devoted to nothing more than “grape catching”?

            I believe that the Lord wants us to have balanced lives, which includes work, recreation, and rest, as we see in the life of Christ. “And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them” (John 8:2). “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” (Luke 1:35). His work of teaching and communing with the Father were paramount, and yet he had time to go to a wedding feast! “This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him” (John 2:11). Oh if only we could find the same balance in our lives! Today, I want to make sure I am not just grape catching!

The Grape Guy
By Bob Prichard
www.oxfordchurchofchrist.com