A perfect game is more than a no-hitter. In a nine-inning baseball game, a pitcher must face a minimum of three batters per inning, or 27 batters total. The pitcher cannot allow a batter to reach base safely for any reason - hits, walks, or hit batters. 27 up - 27 down. But great pitching is not enough. It must also be backed by great play out on the field. An error by a right fielder could allow a runner to reach base and spoil an otherwise flawless game.
What a great metaphor for life. A perfect game is something we only dream about. Looking back at the past year, week or even the past hour, we find plenty of room for criticism. Did we give our best? Were there a few costly errors? Do we have room for improvement?
To date, Braden’s career would be described as mediocre, losing more games than he’s won. But this past weekend, he was unstoppable. In my own game of life, I confess the pitching has sometimes been lackluster - some innings were red hot, others have been ice cold. Maybe your story is one of a sluggish start, but now you’re really finishing strong. Whatever the case, the only way to win is to keep pitching.
Thankfully, through the years there have been some terrific folks who “had my back”. Parents, teachers, coworkers, mentors. Funny, but it seems that the further you get in the game, that pitching arm begins to tire, and the more grateful you become for good support out in the field.
Dallas Braden is still a young man, only 26 years old. There will be plenty of long lonely walks back to the dugout in his future. But for one day, this past Mother’s day, Braden made his mom proud.
“I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1)
0 comments:
Post a Comment