Happy Friday Friends!
I hope and trust this post finds you all having a great day and that you have had a wonderful week. It absolutely amazes me how time flies! Between 2 boys playing football - on different teams - and another playing baseball, I feel like we are running somewhere all the time. Oh yeah, we are!
Well, this was one of those weeks when I thought I knew what "Happy Friday" was going to be most of the week. Early in the week I read about empowerment, empowering others, etc. I spent a lot of time thinking about and researching empowerment. Yes, empowerment is what this "Happy Friday" was going to be about. And then I went to Landry's baseball game.
Landry is in his first year of "kid pitch." Exciting stuff. He is so excited for each game and he has been hitting very well...one of the benefits of playing baseball with your two older brothers since you can walk! Landry came up to bat in the 1st inning. He fouled one ball off, there were a few balls and then, the pitcher hit him in the back, right below his left shoulder blade. The ball made that hollow "thud" sound that let's you know this one got him good. After a slow walk - I am pretty sure he was debating whether or not it would be o.k. to cry...he decided it wouldn't - he jogged down to 1st base. When he got to the base he turned around and looked at me and gave me the thumbs up. All is good!
The next time Landry came up to bat the pitcher threw the 1st pitch right down the middle of the plate and Landry...backed up. Landry has never backed up but now he did. I encouraged him to get back in there, his coach encouraged him to do the same. Landry eventually got walked - hey, it is the first year of "kid pitch!" The next time he came up to bat the exact same scenario played itself out. First pitch is right down the middle of the plate, Landry backs up, ultimately hangs in there for the other pitches and then ultimately walks. He has been hurt and now it is affecting how he acts, how he plays.
As Landry and I were driving home from the game we talked about him getting hit by the pitch. He confirms that "it really hurt" and that he "wanted to cry. I even got tears in my eyes." I tell him I understand however (at least I said "however' and not "but"!) I try to explain to him that he had to get back in there and take his swings. He looks at me like I am crazy and again explains that it hurt. He also tells me he is scared. I tell him I understand, I love him and I am so proud of him...I don't know what else to say.
This morning I was writing Landry a note. I wanted to encourage him, to help him understand that sometimes we do get hit by pitches but we have to get in there and take our swings. I hurt for him. I don't want him to get hurt, I don't want him to be scared...I want him to play like he always plays, be himself. It was then, at this moment, that it hit me; this is how God feels about us!
Ever been hit by a pitch - I am not just talking about baseball or softball, I am talking about in the game of life? It hurts. You are doing what you love to do and then you catch a fastball - lies, gossip, slander or any number of horrible things people do to each other - right in the middle of the back! For a moment you lose your breath, you want to cry, you put on your brave face, give the thumbs up but your scared. Yeah, all of us have been hit by a pitch at one time or another.
So as a Dad I am looking at my sweet little 8-year old who I love to death. I don't want him to be hurt, I am here for him when he is and I desperately don't want him to let this one, brief moment of pain define him. This is not what baseball is all about, this does not happen all the time and you are going to do so many great things if you will just get back in the batters box and swing the bat. This Friends is how God feels about you and me. He cares when you and I get hurt, He is there for us 24/7 and He doesn't want these moments of pain - the times when we get hit by the pitches of life - to define us. This was so clear to me this morning as I thought about my Little Slugger.
My question/challenge for us this morning, are we going to get up out of the dirt, dig back into the batters box and swinging for the fences? Or have we chosen to bail out every time the pitcher gets ready to deliver the pitch - guaranteeing that we will not get hit - well, actually you could in the first year of "kid pitch" however that's not the point! - but also guaranteeing that we will never get a hit?
Just as I hope, I pray my Little Slugger will overcome this challenge he now faces - it is teaching him life! - I also pray that you and I will do the same. I don't want to minimize at all the hurt, the pain, the fear. However I also refuse to minimize God - the fact that He loves you completely, that He is always there for you and He is hoping you will choose to pursue the greatness He has placed within you and not allow a bad pitch to alter your life course.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family. I will always be willing to help you any way I can.
Have a great day, a wonderful weekend and please cherish your precious families and friends.
Kev
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