by Jeff Forney
The crack of the bat, the smell of fresh cut grass, the aroma of popcorn and hot dogs fill many stadiums this time of year. It is the sure sign that baseball season is here. Little League and T-ball teams fill your local parks as well as High School and College competition from coast to coast; bring America’s pastime to full bloom.
The only word I can use to describe the start of a new season is enthusiasm. Everybody starts out undefeated with the hopes of going to the “ship.” I have witnessed many Opening Day ceremonies as a player and as a parent and I must admit I get the butterflies and the tingles at everyone of them. When the national anthem is played it seems to ring out with even more of a resounding melody. The pride and excitement you feel, either as a player or parent, you wish you could bottle up and keep the whole season.
Unfortunately this excitement can fade. Sadly, I see many players lose their enthusiasm for the game. I know the circumstances and the events of the game can make us frustrated and often times lack-luster play compounds it. The game of baseball is one of the best teachers of life because of the many ups and downs of the game. Baseball is a sport where you can’t spend too much time with your head in the sand or the next play will pass you by, often times with unkind results.
The joy and enthusiasm of the game is a personal choice we must make. We can’t let the hard knocks of the game get the best of us. I always tell my son who is a high school player now, “Baseball should not dictate the type of person you are.” I always remind him I love him the same if he is 0-4 or 4-4. I know he would prefer to be the latter but we know that is not often the case in baseball. I want his attitude to be dictated by the quality person he is, not the results of the game. I think this is a must for playing higher-level baseball and becoming the best player you can be.
This past Sunday we celebrated Easter Sunday and anyone who has a relationship with the risen Savior Jesus Christ could consider this day as Opening Day ceremonies. For me personally I experience the excitement of Christ dying on the cross, being buried, and raised on the third day, so that I might have eternal life through His death and resurrection. I thank Him for the trials and pain he endured to complete this task for all mankind. At times life can lose its enthusiasm and we need only look around and see the many wonderful blessings we have and recall what Christ endured for us. This can bring that enthusiasm back.
When the enthusiasm seems to fade, I am encouraged to remember some inspiring words from the book of Hebrews 12:2-3 [2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. [3] Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up. (NLT)
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