The Curve Balls of Life's Journey

Life's Journey continues and boy oh boy is it full of "curve balls"! I continue to learn how to allow God to take the bat in every circumstance of life, but it isn't that easy.  If you are like me, you have preconceived ideas of how to right a problem, find a solution or the steps it will take to make things o.k. again.  It is not often I want to just sit back and roll with the punches. No, not me! I must find the answers, search for the solutions and take some control of the situation.  If you are truly honest with yourself, I bet there a few of you out there who can relate to what I am saying.
We are the "doers", the ones who get into the game and strive to win at all costs. We do not want to just sit at the sidelines as a spectator. Most of us want to be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.  We are the ones asked to join the team. We do not sit idle as we see the curve balls of life pass on by.  Instead, we are determined to catch the curve ball no matter how difficult it is to catch. We do not easily give up, but welcome the challenge.
We are the ones that have experienced success in finding solutions, whether others notice or not. If by chance someone does notice, it is like a bonus win that cheers you on to do it again. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward to find the answers, the solutions and to never give up.
Personally, I think God loves cheering us on to never give up, to face the trials of this life and to meet each challenge with open arms.  Yet, I also believe that there comes a time in life we must surrender and take a backseat. We must face the fact that we do not have all the answers and that sometimes in this life there isn't a solution.  We must admit that we are merely human. It is time to let God be the solution, to let Him be the hero and allow Him to bring victory.
During these past years, this is exactly what God is teaching me.  He has allowed me to strike out, to miss catching the curve balls of life and to finally realize in my human weakness He is made strong.  We all know life is not a game, but we often live it as one. We view the problems and trials of this life as the curve balls of life.  We allow ourselves to believe that if we only try harder and keep practicing that we can win over any life's challenge.  We don't stop to listen to God still small voice saying, "You don't have to go it alone. You do not need to have all the answers. You can rest in my strength and let me grant the victory."
I am no exception, for as each curve ball has headed my way, I have stretched out my arm with mitt in hand, determined to catch that curve ball and stop it dead in its tracks - never to affect my life again. Other times I have readied myself with a solid bat, determined to hit each ball out of the park. But to my surprise as I looked up to deal with the first curve ball, there before my very eyes was a second curve ball and then a third, a fourth and even a fifth! Soon it looked like a hailstorm of curve balls and my mitt and bat became the only shield to block each balls blow to my head.
Fear over whelmed me as I questioned how I could have the strength to continue to block each curve ball from their blow. No longer was I thinking how to catch them or hit them out of the park as they rocket down from the sky like an intense meteor shower.  I felt this was the end.  I could see no hope in sight. I had no answers, no solutions or strength to continue at such a pace.  I had to look beyond myself and ask for help.  I had to reach out to other believers and lend on them for strength, for encouragement and to borrow their hope.  I had to say to God, "Here I am, I must trust in you to met my needs, to help me survive this storm."
It was time for me to surrender my mitt and hand over my bat.  It was time for me to sit on the side lines, to rest in my saviors arms and let Him have control...trusting fully in Him for the outcome no matter what it may be...To know He does work all things for good for those whom love Him whether or not the storm continues for a time or stops to shine forth a ray of light.
My storm is not yet over, there are more dark clouds ahead as the curve balls continue to fall. Yet, I will not give up, but I also know my in my weakness He is made strong.  He will protect me, grant me hope and bring the victory.  I must know with Him there are answers and solution, but I must patiently wait, for His timing is perfect.  He knows how many curve balls I can handle.  He knows that each one serves a purpose and will bring blessing for all those who wait.
So as I sit here with all my bumps and bruises of lessons learned, I patiently wait...God is my strength, my victor and I will hide myself in the shelter of His wings.  I will not be afraid of the curve balls ahead, I will not go it alone, but trust in each moment of life God has given me...to count my blessings and to rest in Him, trusting that He has the answers.  God is on my side.  He is the captain of my team. He has victory over every storm. Aaaah, peace be still...catch some joy and let the curve balls reign for I will not fear...I am journeying on!

Here's the Bat

When life throws us a curve ball it feels impossible to hit it or to even make it to first base, let alone to make a home run. We all want to succeed in life. We want to be ready for the curve balls in life. We want to win.
God has given me plenty of new opportunities to trust Him. There have been many times to practice hitting the curve balls of life. I wish I could say that I have always succeeded, but I have missed the ball and struck out many times. I wish I could say I consistently and fully trusted God each step of the way, but I haven't - I have missed the mark. The fact is, I had to learn it is because I was relying upon myself and not pulling my full trust in God. I was pushing away all those He sent to help me. They were sent as a part of the body of Christ to bless me but, I wanted to prove I was strong and I could win on my own. I didn't allow others to help me and be the hands and feet of Christ.
But the fact is, I have been scared, uncertain, and at times, very anxious. I knew many times I could not do it on my own. I knew I needed to trust God with health, healing, finances, my well-being, my relationships and the everyday journey of life. But I had much to learn. I had to strike out many times before this stubborn brain of mine would stop and listen to reason. Interestingly enough, all along the way, God has been faithful, as He patiently waited for me to acknowledge His present and keep on asking His help. Yes, although, I took life into my own hands, He remained trustworthy and ready to step in to assist me. He journeyed beside me even when I did not acknowledge Him.
It is humbling to realize you are in need of help and to have the full realization that you are not strong enough to make it on your own. You get discouraged when answers do not come quickly. Other times you wonder if God is even listening to your plead. Yet, His truth reigns, "...for in our weakness He is made strong."  He is faithful and desires to answer our prayers. The question is, am I willing to to place my life in His hands, to give Him the bat, to take full control once I place make my need known? Can I trust fully in Him. Is He really cheering for me to win? Can I believe His word? Will He truly answer my prayer? Is He really listening?
Amazingly enough, God is a God of integrity. He does not lie. He is the Promiser who keeps His promises! It matters not how long you try it on your own, He is always there ready and waiting for you to stop and acknowledge Him and simply ask for His help. He as our heavenly Father wants to provide our needs. He wants us to feel and know His great love. He is a God of infinite strength. His ability to pass all abilities. There is none like Him. He is the Creator of the universe and rules over all, yet He allows us to choose. We can choose not to ask for His help in our lives. We can ignore His Word and the words He gave us to encourage our heart. He communicates through His Word and in His still small voice if we only stop to listen. He is faithful in all He does. He WILL answer our prayers in His time. However, why is it so hard for us to believe these truths? In our humanness we linger our suffering by choosing to ignore the fact God is right there waiting to lean a hand. It must hurt Him to see us suffer needlessly. I can hear Him say, "My child, I am here for you...just reach out and I will help you...just ask me...My child I am here, I will wait, I will remain here for as long as it takes...I love you."
So as life journeys on, I strive to hear God still small voice, to remember He is here to help me if only I call upon Him. I must ask for His help and let my needs be known. Still, I am learning to trust Him and let Him take control...for I may not be able to see what is coming at me in life, but I know I have a faithful, capable and trustworthy team leader. One who has a keen eye, a steady hand and knows all the angles. I can trust Him know matter what lies ahead. He WILL answer in due time, so I cannot give up!  As His word says, "Ask and it will be given to you!"
As I seek to continue this journey in life, there will be plenty of opportunities to trust God anew. So what about you? Can you take that chance to place your life in the hands of God? Can you trust Him to know the next move? Are you willing to ask Him for your needs and not give up?
Though I don't know fully the plans that God has for me, I am learning to step out in faith. For He does know the plan and I can TRUST HIM every plan of my life. For He has said, "For I know the plans I have for you," declare the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
So for now, I ask God to join the team, teach me the swing of the bat to trust His keen eye and know His heart is alway cheering for me. He will answer my prayers and guide my life. Can you let yourself hear His cheers? Will you give Him the bat? Come on, I know you can do it...TOGETHER, with God we will WIN the game, for in Christ we are victorious throughout eternity!  OK, I am asking...I am ready - Here is the bat God, I am ready to never give up! Let's play ball!