Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: FINISH (05/26/16)
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TITLE: Runner on Base | Previous Challenge Entry
By Cynthia G. Peoples
06/01/16 -
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He swung the bat slowly back and forth over the diamond in preparation for the throw. He swallowed the lump in his throat and prayed.
“Here it comes...swing!” The fast pitch swarmed past Buddy's head and dropped into the catcher's glove.
“Strike three, you're out of here!” shouted the umpire.
Buddy angrily tossed the bat down, hung his head, and slid down to the ground landing on his haunches. The umpire patted him on the shoulder. “It's okay, son,” he said. “At least you went down swinging.”
Buddy sat stunned for a few moments just shaking his head back and forth. He finally slowly rose, walked over to the dugout, and joined his team mates. “Sorry guys,” he said. “I can't believe I struck out.”
“Hey, it happens,” his team mate shrugged. “It's no big deal.”
“It is to me,” Buddy said. He started gathering his gear and shoving it in his sport's bag when his dad, who also served as his coach, walked inside the dugout and sat down on the wooden bench. He sighed and crossed his arms and legs.
“Hey, champ,” he said. .“ That was tough. But all in all you played a good game.” Buddy zipped up the sports bag and joined his father on the bench.
“I'm sorry dad,” Buddy said. “I failed you and I let the team down. This was an important game and well, I don't know if I even want to play anymore, now.”
“Buddy, you know you don't mean that,” his dad replied. “Quitters never win and you can't give up just because you struck out in a game. Think about the story of Job in the Bible. He struck out and lost everything but he never gave up. He hung in there and God eventually restored all of his losses and blessed him like never before. You do still want to play pro ball someday don't you? I thought that was your dream?”
“It is,” he said. “But what's the story of Job got to do with me playing baseball or not?”
“Well, think about it. When you first started playing ball you couldn't even hit the ball off of the tee, right?” Buddy blanched and grinned in reply as his dad continued.
“Well, just like Job - you never gave up. You've hung in there through T-ball, teeny-league, and now little league. So, the game isn't over yet. You still have your whole life in front of you. And who knows, God may bless you more than you can even imagine just like he did Job. But you have to finish what you started to allow God to complete His plans for your life.”
Buddy reached up and pulled the bill of his baseball cap down over his eyes to hide the tears. Dad pretended not to notice and continued on.
“Let me tell you a story. Billy Sunday, was an excellent ball player back in the 1800's. And he once said: 'Stopping at third adds no more to the score than striking out. It doesn't matter how well you start, if you fail to finish.' And later on in life, he gave up baseball and became an evangelist. So you never know what plans God has for you.”
The apostle Paul said it like this: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” (2nd Timothy 4: 7 & 8 NLT)
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