Curveballs

I could never hit a curveball! I remember the first one I ever saw. I was playing Little League in Prentiss, MS. The team was called the Braves and we essentially were mediocre at best. Actually, we were probably the most mismatched group of misfits in the league. I remember going to bat against the Tigers, who were the best team in the league. The pitcher was in 5th grade, which was huge to a 3rd grader like me. When he let'er fly, the ball didn't come straight like in practice. It's gonna hit me in the head, I thought. The ball went nuts! It did not hit my head, but instead fell perfectly in the strike zone. The sound of Mr. Richard Ward's voice (the umpire) rang out STRIIIIIIIIIKKKKKKE!!!!, as I got up from the fetal position and tried to stand back in the box.

The last two weeks of my life have felt like that. Every pitch has been a curve ball. There is a difference now though. The pitcher is also my coach. Did I lose you? See God has been pitching life at me and, for the most part, has thrown me fastballs. In retrospect, and consideration of the last two weeks, He has allowed me to play tee ball! Yet, He is also coaching me. Teaching me to time the pitch, to wait on his will. Now let me tell you, He has a crazy change-up. And Bethany and I saw it today.

If you haven't seen Bet's blog you should check it out. She is more detail oriented. On the ultrasound today there was more amniotic fluid than before, we found the bladder and renal arteries, which were not evident on past ultrasounds. The baby has grown two weeks in the last two weeks and has gained one ounce in the last six days. This is awesome, but we need to guard our hearts. We will go to the specialist tomorrow in Jackson and see what is going on. We ask that everyone pray for God's will to be done. I don't want to throw the word miracle around about this just yet. That may not be what God is doing. So we wait. There have been so many miracles in this process that it is unreal. As it should be.

You know, I still can't hit a curveball. But with the coaching of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I seem to hit a lot more of life's curveballs. And occasionally get one out of the park.

I want to leave you with some verses I have been studying, that have let me know that Christ is the greatest coach of all time. He has the perfect gameplan. His is and always will be undefeated. If He picks you for His team, I suggest you join. No matter how bad you are, he can always use you. He took me, and I can't hit a curveball!

Proverbs 19:21 - There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel - that will stand.

Proverbs 21:30 - There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord.

Job 42:2 - I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.

Ephesians 1:11 - In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things, according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

In His Grace,
Shea Mc