Wow, last night was our first practice of the softball season. Can I just say, we will need a few more to get those bats moving again. That first practice is always the hardest. When you haven't picked up a ball or bat in a year your a bit rusty.When your 43, you don't move exactly like you did the year before. It takes a little longer to get warmed up.I must say I was doing really great last night at catching right up until I picked up the bat. Why was I the first to bat? I can be honest and say that was a disaster. When your a girl playing with mostly men it is hard to swallow when you look out there in the field as your walking up to bat, and they are all moving in. It's almost as though they are doubting you before you get up there. Ever feel that way? But oh, what a great feeling it is when you see them all moving in, and you grab that bat in your hands and hit it over their heads to the outfield! Next time, they don't move in so quickly.
After practice we stood listening to our coach, and I happened to look down and see dirt in my nails. At first I thought ewe, this is nasty, but then I thought about it. It will come out when I get home and shower, and it did. When we are at practice, even at a game we get dirty, dusty and pretty smelly, but that dirt doesn't stay, we wash clean. Those stains might take a little scrubbing, but they come out with work.
I think that's really what I learned last night, that it will take work to get where I need to be. It will take effort, and practice to hit the ball better. It will take time to get those legs back in shape to run faster. I can't do it alone either, I need encouragement, that little push to get me going again.
We brought our gloves home, and my husband grabbed us a ball so we could practice here at home each night. When you live in the country you can practice hitting too. That ball can go anywhere, its the time it takes finding it that gets you knee deep in those high weeds. Its there you find the chiggers and ticks.
Everything we do, if we want to do it well takes time and effort. When things are hard, you place a smile on your face and you keep going. When you swing that bat and the ball doesn't go far, you don't put the bat up and walk away. You keep swinging, you keep trying, and when you put in the time, you will reap the reward.
My walk with Christ can be the same. I must put in the time to reap the gifts He has for me. I cannot just stand there and expect that ball to go in my glove. I have to move, I have to be active, just as in my walk with Him. I cannot just stand there, do nothing and expect those blessings to fall from the sky.
As I am trying to move closer to Him, He cleans me up after I have fallen in the dirt. He removes those stains, and they are no longer there for me or anyone to see. When I keep my eyes on the ball, awesome things happen. I catch it, I throw it better, and I end up smacking that ball over their heads while they stand there amazed that this little lady hit the ball that far. With God all things are possible. When I keep my eyes upon Him the most amazing things happen, and it has nothing to do with me, its all Him!
I love watching a good game, but I love playing in the game much more. I love watching God work and move, but I also love being a willing vessel for Him and being in the game with Him. I don't want to just sit on the sidelines. I want to get out there and play!
Whatever it is that you have a passion for get out there and do it all for the glory of God. Don't just sit on the sidelines, get in the game. Being in the game you are able to take in the riches of watching an awesome God do amazing things. Need practice in your walk? The only way to get to where we need to be is getting in there and never giving up!
Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord., not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
