Lesson from Sports

As you’ve read on here from time to time, I like to play sports.  I enjoy the competition, the fellowship with the other people playing, and the exercise I get from playing.  Well, one thing that I’ve relearned lately comes from my exploits in softball.

Due to the constant rain all summer and fall, the softball seasons this year were a complete mess.  Makeups of makeups of makeups were scheduled.  We’d get to play every 2-3 weeks in both seasons.  There really was no way of getting any consistent at bats all season, and so you couldn’t get a rhythm in fielding or batting. 

I really started to feel that lack of rhythm in the fall.  My batting wasn’t too bad (actually better than the summer), but my fielding was very hit and miss.  So we finally get the last two games of the season in on a Monday night.  It’s pretty cold (I’ve never played softball in November before) and it was hard to keep my hands warm.  I have two balls hit to me at second base from back to back batters from the opposing team.  One hits my glove hard and my hand went numb instantly.  So, I missed that out.  Then the next one gets hit to me and because I still had numbness in my hand I couldn’t field that cleanly either and they get another runner on base.  So, what does the next batter do, he tries to hit it to me as well, as he figures that they’ve found a weak spot.  Well, all of a sudden I find my inner Roberto Alomar and make a very difficult play that ends the inning.  Then the next two times the ball comes my way I easily make outs that I’d been missing before.

So, the next game comes, and a ball is hit to my right and I dive to get it, but I don’t come up with it cleanly. I quickly get it and throw the ball to the shortstop covering second base to try and force out the runner coming from first base.  Of course, I didn’t make the play in time and he’s safe, and they end up getting a few runs out of it.  Then an inning later a ball is hit to me just out of my reach.  But, at the end of the game I make the final out on a ball that if I don’t get it not only gives up the hit, but would cost us the game.  Instead we preserve the one-run lead, and finish the season at 9-3.

What did I learn from this?  Well, first off I’m not perfect.  It’s very humbling to have a ball come to you that you know you should make the play on, only to goof it up.  God seems to really enjoy reminding me of this lesson.  Secondly, I learned that although I may not be perfect and have messed up before, there is always a chance at redemption.  I messed up numerous times in those games or just didn’t make the play that was needed.  Yet, in the long run everything worked out for the best, according to His plan. 

These lessons are the same in the rest of my life.  I’m not perfect and everything isn’t always going to work out perfectly.  Instead, at times there will be rocks in the road, but eventually we’ll hit some smooth sailing again.