I often look back and think about what God did in my life to bring me from the small town of Lawrenceburg to Kathmandu. I can look back at events that happened or conversations that were had, and now know the purpose of them. Originally though these would seem as random as the weather on a spring day. I remember slowly giving things over to God until I was ready to, in borrowing a phrase from Nike "Just Do It."
Family and friends were hard good byes, but one thing that was incredibly hard to give up was the game of kings, baseball. This did not happen overnight or even over the course of a month or year. You may ask why this was hard, well in my family baseball was and is and will be for generations what we do. I felt like giving up on this was giving up on one of the things that held my family close.* You see a love for the game that had been given to my father was given to my brothers and I, and it continually links the generations of our family. We did not have to play, but if we were going to we were going to have a passion for it and play it the right way. So many childhood memories both wonderful and sad involve baseball. All those great weekends staying in Murfreesboro playing baseball and swimming in the hotel pool. I will never forget along with my older brother hitting back to back home runs with the same ball. They did not go and get the ball the second time. Chris, as a sophomore, hitting a ball at Franklin County that he swears would have been a home run at any other park. He is probably right (just don't tell him that after all these years I am admitting to it). I also remember watching Matt pitching in a thirteen year old state tournament game and making the other team look like tee ballers seeing live pitching for the first time. I also remember wishing my dad was sitting within earshot instead of a car as he fearlessly fought and beat cancer. I also still stand by the fact that I should have made the nine year old all-star team and recollect very clearly that the tears I cried were from the dust stirred up on the field getting into my eyes. I must also mention my incredible mom at this point, who I stand in awe to this day, for her ability to consistently get four sons to practices all over town and never missing a game until she stood by my father as they together beat cancer.
I love the game, my family loves the game and it has loved us back. I will miss it over the next few years and maybe a lifetime if my God calls me to it, but I know it is worth it. Baseball in my opinion is the greatest game ever played, but for the sake of the cross I joyously give it over to the King, and I have no regrets. God often times calls us to give up things that we hold dear for His glory. Is there something He is asking from you? What if what you are holding on to is what is keeping His Word from being heard by those He is preparing? I promise it is worth it. It is hard, but He deserves that which we would give up for no one else.
*Mom please don't worry I know that if baseball wasn't part of our life that we would still be close and that the rest of the family will not shun me from table if I never talk about baseball again.
Family and friends were hard good byes, but one thing that was incredibly hard to give up was the game of kings, baseball. This did not happen overnight or even over the course of a month or year. You may ask why this was hard, well in my family baseball was and is and will be for generations what we do. I felt like giving up on this was giving up on one of the things that held my family close.* You see a love for the game that had been given to my father was given to my brothers and I, and it continually links the generations of our family. We did not have to play, but if we were going to we were going to have a passion for it and play it the right way. So many childhood memories both wonderful and sad involve baseball. All those great weekends staying in Murfreesboro playing baseball and swimming in the hotel pool. I will never forget along with my older brother hitting back to back home runs with the same ball. They did not go and get the ball the second time. Chris, as a sophomore, hitting a ball at Franklin County that he swears would have been a home run at any other park. He is probably right (just don't tell him that after all these years I am admitting to it). I also remember watching Matt pitching in a thirteen year old state tournament game and making the other team look like tee ballers seeing live pitching for the first time. I also remember wishing my dad was sitting within earshot instead of a car as he fearlessly fought and beat cancer. I also still stand by the fact that I should have made the nine year old all-star team and recollect very clearly that the tears I cried were from the dust stirred up on the field getting into my eyes. I must also mention my incredible mom at this point, who I stand in awe to this day, for her ability to consistently get four sons to practices all over town and never missing a game until she stood by my father as they together beat cancer.
I love the game, my family loves the game and it has loved us back. I will miss it over the next few years and maybe a lifetime if my God calls me to it, but I know it is worth it. Baseball in my opinion is the greatest game ever played, but for the sake of the cross I joyously give it over to the King, and I have no regrets. God often times calls us to give up things that we hold dear for His glory. Is there something He is asking from you? What if what you are holding on to is what is keeping His Word from being heard by those He is preparing? I promise it is worth it. It is hard, but He deserves that which we would give up for no one else.
*Mom please don't worry I know that if baseball wasn't part of our life that we would still be close and that the rest of the family will not shun me from table if I never talk about baseball again.
