5 Friday Favorites: April 3, 2026
It's time for my Friday link up with A Little Bit of Everything and Momfessionals.
On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.
Hello, Friends.
We’re off to watch more college baseball this weekend against my better judgment. Last weekend Drew’s team played a double header against a very, very good team. I set my expectations low, telling myself I would not become emotionally invested in the outcome. It had been a busy week and I was tired. Furthermore, I am a mature adult who understands that baseball is simply a fun recreational activity and not something to lose your ever lovin’ mind about every single weekend.
However. Ahem.
Lo and behold, in the 8th inning, we were up 5-1. By all accounts it looked like our underdog team was going to pull off a win. I tried to act like I was super chill about it on the outside, but my heart was beating out of my chest and on the inside of my mature adult body I was all:
Well, dear reader, what happened after that was that the wheels fell off, as it were. We ended up losing 6-5 in the 9th inning. So the question is:
“Why do I watch baseball? Why?’
I am in the 22nd year of watching at least one of my own flesh and blood children play this game. Children that came out of my actual body. Children who I love so much I would throw myself in front of a bus for them. But I haven’t thrown myself in front of a bus. Instead I just watch them play baseball which kinda seems like the same thing. Because it seems like this stupid, stupid game is finally going to kill me.
Am I being a little dramatic?
Perhaps. But I told you I’m tired.
Anyway, I took a deep breath and a little walk in between games. Then I settled in to be super easy-breezy about the 2nd game of the double header. I thought I’d just enjoy the sunshine and the blue skies and my diet Coke. No worries, no stress. Win or lose, I simply hoped everyone had fun.
Then we ended up winning the 2nd game 7-3. Which is to say pretty quickly my chill attitude turned into this:
And that win started a three game winning streak for our team, so I’ll be back there again this afternoon trying to be reasonable and calm about the whole thing. Until then, here are some other favorite things from the week.
Barren by Heather LaVigne
I met Heather LaVigne at a writer’s conference last summer. She was so friendly, welcoming and fun and I had no idea the trauma she had endured. Her new book, Barren: A Shared Journey of Infertility, Loss and Faith is a heartbreaking, but beautiful testimony of hope in the midst of disappointment and pain. I think anyone who has suffered through infertility or miscarriage will be blessed by this book. Heather shares her personal experience and pairs it with the Biblical stories of women who suffered the same. You can order Barren here.
2. Blessed Necklace
Chunky chain necklaces with pendants are everywhere right now and I love this Blessed Necklace from Park Lane Jewelry. The chain has a toggle closure and a cross pendant adorned with glass faux pearls. It’s only $44.
3. Sleeveless Lace Top
It was in the 80s here this week which made me so happy. I am ready to put away the sweatshirts and pull out the short sleeve tops. This sleeveless lace top is on sale today and comes in so many pretty colors. I love this navy, but the green and light blue are cute, too.
4. Thief by Third Day
sermons.logos.com
Every year on Good Friday I share this song, Thief, by Third Day. It is inspired by the verses from Luke 23:39-43 and Matthew 27:38-44. It is a hauntingly beautiful song that makes me weep every time I hear it.
5.The Man on the Middle Cross
Speaking of this story, I love how Alistair Begg imagines the thief’s experience as he enters paradise. I had heard this story relayed in a sermon by Jackie Hill Perry a couple of months ago. Then on Wednesday, one of the members of my Bible Study mentioned it. And when I got to my car after Bible Study, I saw that Drew had sent our family group chat this clip of Begg telling it himself. Seemed like maybe that was a clue that I should share it here. This is definitely worth a listen today. It’s less four minutes. Don’t miss it.
I hope you have a beautiful weekend, y’all.
“We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song.” - Pope John Paul II
Disclosure: The View From Behind Home Plate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn small fees by linking to amazon.com. Post might contain other affiliate links as well.