Day One Thousand and Forty-Three

The Twelfth Zephyr Start

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything."

-James 1:3-4

Our little baseball world is being rocked presently. It's not fun. It's not even funny. And it's really frustrating. And as easy as it would be to kick and scream and cry about how unfair this latter part of the season has been - really easy, by the way - that's not where our minds are at. Praise the good Lord. Because if not for Him and his perfect Word, infant Kendall would be the most colicky, most unhappy, most awful baby around. 

Maybe if this were two seasons ago - heck, maybe even last season - that would be exactly what you'd see. I can't say that I've got it all figured out, or that on occasion, I wish I could scream bloody murder - at the top of my lungs - ordering Adam to just throw strikes, but finally, my eyes and my heart have been opened to witness these trials in a new light. 

At every other point in my life - after coming to Christ - His way has proven over and over again it's superiority. I've fought Him so many times before, but this time, I don't want to fight. Because my end-goal is always worse than His. Always. I want to learn. I want to grow. I want to persevere for Adam. For myself. And for Christ. I want to look back at this season and instead of commenting on how poorly it went, I want to comment on how big God showed up and how it's propelled my faith forward. 

Sure, on paper and on the news and in mouths and in performance, it is obvious that Adam isn't pitching like Adam. At all. And boy, do we ever want to repair the missing link. But without these struggles, I wouldn't have been able to show Adam what I can be for him when things aren't all rainbows and ice cream cones. It's brought a vulnerability to our relationship that we haven't experienced yet, and for that alone, I am grateful. 

Good news: the season isn't over. And he's not given up any sort of hope on it. There's plenty of time to make progress, and if anyone can do it, Adam can. So, we're hopeful, encouraged, and preparing for a comeback. 

____________

His line: 

4.2 IP, 9H, 6R, 6ER, BB, 2K, HR**