It’s baseball season.
I know. Some of you might not enjoy the game. Some of you might not understand the game. Some of you might not have time for the game.
I’m not writing this to explain or defend the game of baseball. I’m not writing this to confess my love of the sport. I’m not writing this to let you know some of my best writing happens with a baseball game beside me on the screen. I’m not writing this to admit some of my most fun experiences watching baseball games in person.
I’m writing this to remind us all that life is more like baseball that we realize. The slow, long game occurs in innings. But each pitch, each swing, each throw, each catch, each call matters. Small, passive events are actually big and active. Leisurely climate covers a complex, intelligent, busy sport.
Like life. A swing changes in inning. A catch impacts a game. An error sways a series.
In life, a thought or a word or a decision have lasting consequences.
Welcome a season of realizing every inning counts. Every relationship counts. Every action counts.
How will we pitch today so that we’re grateful tomorrow?
I pray this is a season of victory.
One pitch, one inning, one series at a time. One word, one conversation, one thought at a time.
I pray this is a season of victory.
Life can sometimes seem like a game of baseball where the innings never seem to end, but it is in those times where we need to lean more on God to get the home run and win the game. We need to take life one step at a time and not let the game keep us from achieving our goals.
There isn’t one moment in our life that isn’t important. Every move has a meaning. Just like in baseball. We need to learn to appreciate each action in the eyes of God. Learn how to take life one step at a time because that is all we can do.
I have played softball my entire life and find myself watching baseball games in my free time as well. These sports are games of failure, you can fail 6 out of 10 times and still be above average which has taught me that failures do not define you and they do not sway an entire game. It is about failing but doing better having a short memory and focusing on the play that is at hand or the pitch I am about to throw or the at bat that I am about to have. To be present in life not focused on a future outcome that you cannot control or a past that you cannot change, it is about moving forward and being better and if you can’t do it you have a team around you that will carry you through the slumps.
I like to think that different moments in life act as puzzle pieces and each piece has its own significant meaning and impact that makes you the person you are today. I have never really watched baseball before but each part of the game makes the game and that goes hand in hand with every moment of a person’s life.
I like the analogy being made that life is like a baseball game, whether we realize this or not. In agreement, the little things like each pitch, each swing, each catch, matters. Oftentimes, we get so caught up worrying about the bigger picture instead of thinking about the present time. I needed this reminder, every decision that is made is for a reason and has purpose. Be smart; Be joyful.
Life is like a baseball game and sometimes can feel like a doubleheader. Going into the game thinking you are automatically going to win is not always realistic. Just like life itself, my plan for two or three years down the road might not look the same. A single pitch or catch can change the entire game. One tiny decision in life can change my entire plan. I must live every moment to its fullest just like a player must play out every minute of the inning.
We have to be patient in life. Many times, we rush the pitch and won’t wait for the right one. This leads to us missing out on a homerun which can be a better opportunity. Each inning is another chance to learn from our mistakes.
Everything in life matters. The little things and the big things make an impact in some way shape or form. Sometimes God gives us little things to help find the Joy and see a little bit of what is to come.
Sport is life. I will defend this claim as much as I need to. Nothing will teach you more about life than truly dedicating yourself to understanding a sport, and perhaps mastering said sport. Sports teach discipline, decision-making, problem-solving, emotional management, community-living, and are a constant reminder that nothing comes easy and that is exactly why it is worth doing it. Sports are life, whether your life is baseball, soccer, basketball, football, track, tennis, swimming, fighting, etc.
It’s important to love and be present at every ground ball, swing, or catch. Its your life you might as well be there for as much of it as you can.