Ridin' the Roller Coaster

It is 7:30 and the house is still quiet. Normally by this time Josh has already eaten, dressed, read our devotional and is getting ready to walk out the door. Not today. 

It all started two days ago when I picked him up from the field. 

"So are you pitching tomorrow?" 

"Yep. I am still on the Norfolk (triple-A) roster, but they have me scheduled to pitch with Bowie (double-A)." 

"Oh. They probably just want to make sure you get your innings in. Do you care?" 

"Not really. I'm still pitching. I just have to go out there and do the same thing. They have just as good of hitters down there." 

"That's true. But you'll be great!" 

My heart played tug-0f-war that afternoon between the temptation to doubt God's perfect plan and the conviction that I must trust Him implicitly. I felt like the Lord was saying to me, "Stephanie, this is a test. Do you trust me to accomplish my best for you?" 

We went to church that evening. During praise and worship, while McKenzie was trying to give her baby doll a piggy-back ride on my shoulders, I was reminded of our prime purpose on this earth: to worship and glorify God. Baseball is just a catalyst for His glory. I knew the Lord was asking me to let go and let Him be God. I had to surrender. Honestly, it was only by His grace because my controlling human heart would rather have held on to the worry and anxiety and tried to handle it alone, but there is such peace when we finally let Christ carry the weight. 

Letting go was freeing. We went home, Josh grilled hot dogs, I heated up the chili beans, and we had a good ol' American supper: chili dogs. It was great fun! 

We woke up the next morning to lightning and the sound of rain gushing down the drain pipes. I began to have doubts about there being any game that day. Games are never called (canceled) until the last possible moment, so we proceeded with our normal routine. By the time McKenzie and I got home after dropping Josh off, it was pouring. The games were to be in Port Charlotte, and from the radar on weather.com it didn't look they were fairing much better than we were. 

Nevertheless, I kept praying for Josh, that he would be ready for the game in body, mind, and spirit. I did the dishes, and washed and folded the laundry. The sky was still pouring rain at 9:30. It did not look promising. Josh called shortly after: the games were canceled. 

Back in the car we went to pick him up from the field. We were going to have an impromptu off-day. How delightful! When he got in the car he said he would throw Monday in either a simulated game or the Bowie or Norfolk game and that he was still on the Norfolk roster. 

I am a slow learner, but it began to dawn on me that the Lord knows where and when it is best for him to pitch, so all afternoon I prayed that the Lord would have him pitch with the team which would be the most advantageous and that the Lord would grant him favor and grace in the sight of the coordinators. 

We had a wonderfully relaxing afternoon. I took a two hour nap, Josh got to watch Tiger Woods win the Arnold Palmer Invitational (Josh can't believe he survived for whole year without watching Tiger), and McK took a long nap and helped me go grocery shopping. I was cleaning up after a late dinner when the house phone rang. I figured it was either my mom or the land-lady. 

"Hello."

"Yes. Hello. Is this Stephanie?" said a man's voice. 

"Yes it is," I said hesitantly. 

"Is Josh there?" 

"He is. May I tell him who's speaking." 

"Len Johnson." (Len is the Orioles minor league camp coordinator.) 

"Just one moment, please." 

I motioned for Josh. 

"Hello. Ok. Great. 1 o'clock. I'll be there." 

He was going as back-up with the big league team again. This time to Port St. Lucie on the other side of the state for a 7 PM game against the Mets. 

I plopped down on the coach and laughed. I guess the Lord figured the big league team would be the most advantageous place for Josh to play today. I turned to McKenzie and said, "Welcome to the baseball roller coaster, Baby Girl. Just as soon as you relax and let it go the phone rings and off you go again." 

Since Josh doesn't have to be at the complex until lunch time, he and the baby slept in this morning and we had a nice leisurely breakfast. I am thankful that we can spend the morning together. We won't see Josh 'til early tomorrow morning when he gets back from the game, probably around 1 or 2 AM. It is three hours to and from Port St. Lucie, so McKenzie and I will be cheering Josh on over the internet from home. 

We are so thankful for this opportunity and are praying that if the Lord wills, Josh have the opportunity to pitch and that he goes out with boldness, courage, and victory, bringing God all the glory through his work. Thank you for your continued prayers. You can keep track of the box score on the Orioles' website, and I will post an update as soon as I can after the game. 

Have a blessed Monday! 

My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. 

Psalm 71:15-16