I know a little something about perseverance. In the past 5 years my life has been filled with things that I had to push through in order to get to a more important part of my life. In high school right before the Major League draft I found myself in a wheelchair after having to have an ankle reconstruction. I had my faith tested while surrounded by hypocrisy and lies at Samford University my freshman year. After leaving Samford I missed two seasons when my thumb virtually detached itself from my hand. And then, again, at UNLV after being completely disappointed with my situation bad turned worse when I severely dislocated my shoulder completely tearing my labrum and needing 5 screws to anchor my shoulder in place. And this is just the short list. Time after time I was forced to face adversity head on and each time I somehow prevailed. In retrospect, I realize that I am exactly who I am supposed to be. I hold firm to the idea that God used each twist and turn to mold me into the unique child of God that I am. But, on top of that, I believe that God sent me moments, moments that I don't even remember, to help me to persevere.
In my last blog I wrote about the frustrations I've been having with the league and with my own performance on the baseball field. I was beginning to be consumed with worry that I wouldn't be able to turn it around and that, basically, all this effort would be wasted because noone is going to pick up a 23 year old catcher hitting under the Mendoza Line (under .200...google it). In my heart I knew this was the wrong mentality to have, but when baseball is all you do and all you think, you can't help but live and die by the crack of the bat. However, when I needed it the most God sent me a moment that helped to pull me out from the pit I was quickly digging myself and He did it in ways both completely obvious and unpredictable and then in ways I still can't wrap my little brain around.
I went to church on Sunday. I had the day off and I was excited to get to worship somewhere, anywhere. We had called the Director of Missions, a man named Bob Franklin, to see if there were any ministry opportunities for me here in Macon while I was playing. He invited my family and I to attend church with him at Tabernacle Baptist Church on July 4th. We showed up and everyone was extremely friendly just like a good Southern Baptist church should be. Bob spoke briefly telling the church about an honor they had received at the annual convention. Then he decided to let the congregation know that among them that morning was a professional baseball player. He personally recognized me in front of the 300+ person congregation. I am not a person easily embarrassed and I don't think I have ever actually blushed...I can now say that my first blush was at Tabernacle Baptist Church. The service was fantastic; good music and great preaching. The pastor wanted me to give him a sample of me preaching. After church, we were invited to have some serious down home southern cooking at the Franklins' home. It was exactly what I needed. I got to spend the afternoon immersed in the love of God. Bob Franklin was beyond encouraging and the whole afternoon was just a complete blessing. Every time that I get to talk about my calling with someone else who has experienced the same call it just reaffirms what I know the Lord has planned for me. It is my hope and my prayer that first I can remain in contact with Mr. Franklin and second that he can make me very busy for the remainder of my time in Macon. I honestly believe that the more I serve the Lord the better I'll do on the ballfield.
We played the next day and before the game Rick Wade, the coach of the Milledgeville Capitals and I were talking when he completely floored me by saying that the night before the Lord laid it on his heart that after the game the two teams should meet together on the field and pray. Sure enough, after the game we met in front of the pitcher's mound and there were only three people who chose not to come. That means that there were about 40 guys kneeling together on our respective field of play and going to God together. It was a new experience for me, one that made me proud and humble at the same time. Rick asked if anyone wanted to lead the prayer and I volunteered. I prayed for no more than a minute earnestly thanking God for this amazing opportunity. Being able to do that and feel comfortable doing that was just such an amazing feeling, something I've waited my entire baseball career for. After the prayer I was able to have conversations with teammates about their own prayers, their church experiences, and just their general faith. Once again, this whole experience took on a brand new meaning. My team and really this entire league is filled with Christians or at least guys that are on the fence about their faith. The best mission field I have is the locker room. Maybe this is one of the biggest reasons I'm even here to be available to my teammates and to show them the love of Christ. Things just continue to take new meaning. My eyes were opened to a whole new purpose for me being here.
Definitely a moment sent by God.
On a side note, I've continued to hit well and I just know that any game now I will break out and then there's no looking back...hopefully soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment