As I headed to work today I thought about how often life throws us a curveball. As I pondered on that, I also reminded myself God is never surprised by anything. Then, I felt God nudge me into a different perspective of the curveball. So if you’ll indulge me, I’d love to share with you what He showed me.
If you’re a baseball fan (and maybe even if you’re not) you’re familiar with the set up of the field. A batter takes the plate and prepares for the pitch from the pitcher. That batter has no idea what pitch is gonna be thrown… But something happens between the time he takes the plate and the time the pitch is thrown…. the CATCHER sends a signal to the pitcher to let the pitcher know what pitch to throw. Now – we all know the pitcher can shake off the pitch and ask for another one, but in the end, it is the CATCHER that calls the pitch. Once the pitch is decided, the pitcher throws… still… something else is happening in the background… the CATCHER is adjusting his stance, his glove positioning, and everything about himself to prepare to CATCH the pitch “just in case” the batter misses the ball… Don’t overlook this!! This is the part that about made my jaw drop. Leaving aside the fact that 2 teams are competing against each other, look at what’s happening here… that catcher is NEVER surprised by what pitch is getting thrown… the batter may be… but NOT the catcher… and the catcher’s job is catching that ball as needed.
How much is life like this! God already knows every single thing that will go on in our life. We step up to the plate, swing at the ball to the best of our ability… practice swinging at different pitches.. learn adjust our grips.. etc etc.
BUT GOD – HE is there behind us. He is ready to catch the ball if we miss.. HE prepared long before the pitch was thrown. He prepared to be there to catch the ball and He will continue to be there for every pitch that’s thrown.
I don’t know about you, but this picture of God made me smile. It gave me some confidence to keep swinging. To step up to the plate. To not be afraid of missing or of swinging.
A Girl and Her God 