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REFLECTIONS

Featured writer, Patty Zemanick

"Standing Firm"

Spring is here.  Even if I didn’t have a calendar to tell me so, I’d still know it was here because of some familiar phrases like… “Mom, do you know where my baseball glove is?  Mom, we have baseball practice tonight at 5:30.  Mom, it’s our turn to bring the snack for Saturday’s game.  Mom, do you know where my cup is?  (And, not referring to a drinking cup.)  Spring is definitely here.

I’m not much of a baseball fan, but I’m a huge Ryan fan (my ten-year-old son) and I love to watch him play.  Sometimes he’s on fire and he pitches a couple of innings with lots of strikes.  Or, he’ll really let one rip when he’s up to bat.  (Remember, I’m a Mom – I don’t know all the proper baseball terms for these things, but I think I’m close).  You can always tell when he’s having a really good game because he gets a little bounce in his step, he smiles a lot and he’ll even wave to me as I sit on the bleachers.  You can also tell when Ryan is having a bad game and he feels a little beaten down.  He’ll usually sit on the bench with his head hanging low, he looks really stressed out when he’s up to bat and if the umpires calls “strike three, you’re out” he looks completely defeated as he walks back to the dugout.

Yep – I’ve been to a lot of Ryan’s games.  But there is one game I’ll never forget.  Now I couldn’t tell you who they were playing against, or which ballpark they played.  I can’t remember the date of the game or even the year it took place (yikes).  But, I can tell you about a moment in time when a little boy learned what it meant to have faith in God.

Ryan was having a pretty good season in all areas, except one.  Hitting the ball.  This was one of those seasons when his team bumped up a notch and they were playing against older boys.  The opposing pitchers threw much faster and harder than his team was accustomed to.  Several of the smaller, younger guys became fearful of getting hit with the ball when they were up to bat.  So, this is what they did (Ryan included)… they’d step up to the plate, take a couple of practice swings, shuffle their feet in the dust, tap the bat on the plate, maybe even spit once or twice and they were ready.  Looking good.  The pitcher would hurl a ball in their direction and before it reached them, they’d take a giant leap backwards.  You see… a few of their teammates got nailed with a ball when a pitch went sour.  It only takes a couple of boys rolling on the ground in pain, crying real tears… to get the rest of the team spooked.  And, spooked they were.  They couldn’t hit the ball because they kept jumping away from it. 

Ryan was third in line to bat.  I could see the look of fear on his face, so I walked up to the dugout and whispered to him through the chain link fence, “You look a little worried.  Don’t be afraid.  Do you want me to pray with you?”  Ryan nodded his head “yes,” so we joined fingers through the fence and I prayed (very quietly)… “Dear God, please watch over Ryan.  Please protect him and keep him safe.  And, when the ball is thrown to him -- please help him to stand firm… please help him hit the ball.  Thank you God for hearing our prayers and for loving us.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.”

Ryan was next up to bat.  As he stepped up to the plate he had a look of determination on his face and a little pep in his step.   The first pitch came and although he didn’t hit the ball, his feet remained firmly planted… he didn’t try to jump away from the ball.  The second pitch came… faster this time.  Once again, he didn’t hit the ball, but his feet never moved.  The third pitch came… and this time he hit the ball…  he sent it sailing over second base.  It turned out to be a base hit for Ryan, but I’ll bet God considered it a homerun… because a little boy stood firm in faith and trusted Him completely when fear had Ryan shaking in his boots.  One day, when Ryan becomes a man, it’s certain he’ll face challenges and fears from time to time.  I hope he’ll never forget that old baseball game and how God helped him in his time of need.

Standing Firm Guideline / 2 Chronicles 20:17
1. Remember, you won’t have to fight the battle (God will do that for you)
2. Take your position
3. Stand firm
4. Watch to see how God will help you in your time of need
5. Do not be afraid
6. Do not be discouraged
7. Go out and face tomorrow
8. The Lord will be with you

So if life has you down… try following these eight steps.  Then, get back in the game and win, win, WIN!

Patty