My
son Ross was on the mound for his Little League team, pitching for only the
second time in his nine-year-old life.
He walked two, and his confidence was shaken. Then he threw one wild
pitch and hit the batter on the foot. Now he was really rattled. He gave up a couple of hits and runs, and the
bases were still loaded. Suddenly, he
pulled himself together, striking out two and catching a pop-up to end the
inning. After the game I told him how
proud I was of his tenacity and wondered how he got through that tough
spot. He shrugged his shoulders and
said, "I don't know, Mom. I just kept throwing the ball."
I've
been thinking a lot recently about that beautifully simple philosophy. I'm not
a quitter, but I have my limits. A
friend and I have been trying for more than a year to work with a local
business on an idea we think will help both the company and the community, but
a lot of difficulties have blocked our way.
I'm trying to use the ideas and the inspiration God has given me to make
the project work, but I'm starting to doubt myself and am ready to give
up. Then I hear Ross's innocent
words. They're akin to Paul's
encouragement of Timothy: Forge ahead, strengthened by God's power. Only then
will I know, as Paul did, that "I have fought the good fight…[and]
finished the race" (2 Timothy 4:7, RSV).
Win
or lose, Paul's aim was to finish the task God set before him. I need to do the same. In my trials I'm learning that while God
doesn't promise victory, He does offer a guarantee: If I "just keep
throwing the ball," God will be beside me every step of the way.
--
Gina Bridgeman
#3647
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