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“Years ago, a young baseball player’s long ball hitting got the attention of a pro scout and the boy was offered a contract. When he went off to spring training he did well. Each week, he wired his mother back home to inform her of his progress.
Week 1: Dear Mom: Leading all batters these pitchers aren’t so tough.
Week 2: Dear Mom: Looks like I’ll be starting in the infield, now hitting .500
Week 3: Dear Mom: Today they started throwing curves. We’ll be home on Friday.
I’m Mark Evans, pastor at the Church of Rock Creek. You know, when life throws you a curve, don’t quit and go home. Most of us have had that experience at one point or another in our lives, thinking that we’ve got everything together, we’re on top of things, we’re making progress only to be blindsided by something that comes out of nowhere. You know it happens. It happens in business, it happens in marriages, it happens at the doctor’s office. Life throws you a curve and you’re immediately faced with a choice. Do you quit and go home or do you dig in and fight? The immediate temptation is almost always to give up and pack it in.
When our emotions are overwhelmed, life is suddenly unfamiliar. We often choose to run, but the truth is that strategy never fixes anything. Because wherever you go, there you are. You run to a new relationship, a new job, a new doctor, a new place. You’ll quickly discover that you bring your problem with you. The only way out is through it. You’ve got to face it, no matter how overwhelming it is. Life will throw you curves. Champions are made when you choose not to back down, not to quit, but keep going.”
