Step Back Up to The Plate

Hello Dear Reader,

When a baseball player, even the likes of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig or Joe DiMaggio, steps up to the plate, he can’t be expected to hit a home run every time. Sometimes he might have a bad day and not even get a ball out of the infield and SOMETIMES he may even strike out every time he goes to bat. I have been feeling like that with writing about my journey here on this page…

I will admit (with a little bit of shame) that vanity comes into play when I think about what to write about. I really enjoy the praise and comments after I “hit a home run” with my writing. Sometimes I don’t get any comments and I start to wonder whether or not I was wrong in what I typed or whether I offended someone with my words.

I often feel inspiration, coming undoubtedly from The Holy Spirit, when it comes to what I should write about, but at a certain point I think that maybe I can’t express myself in such a way that I will get the praise that I desire…

I often blame the resulting lack of action on not having enough time, and with the craziness of my work and home life that is sometimes true… But then I realize at the end of my day (more often than not) I’ve spent a good portion of my evening watching TV or playing a game on my phone. I feel shame wash over me, knowing that I could have used my time better in order to do what God has called me to do, sharing His Gospel through this blog. My point is this… I have been scared to step back up to the plate because I don’t think I will hit a home run… Have you ever felt that way? I like to think that everyone encounters a similar situation at some point in his or her life and I believe that sacred scripture can give us the encouragement that we need.

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4

Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. Your every act should be done with love.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.

2 Timothy 1:8

Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.

Matthew 10:32-33

My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find mercy in the sight of God.

Sirach 3:17-18

I’ve come to the realization that what really counts, is not whether we hit a “home run” or “strike out” when it comes to sharing our faith. For me, that means not worrying about whether or not what I write will turn out to be a “home run”… For you, it may mean stop worrying about talking to someone about our Lord after a previous attempt to evangelize didn’t go over so well. And you know what? That’s O.K.!

What counts is that we keep stepping back up to the plate after striking out and it also means maintaining a certain level of humility when we do hit that “home run” so that we can keep our focus on Christ and on the mission. We need to keep telling others about the Good News of The Gospel (By the way… DON’T BE ASHAMED OF YOUR BLESSED MOTHER MARY!).

We are each called to live our lives for Christ. He doesn’t expect us to win every time, but he does tell us that He will be behind us and that He will support us… He will not give up on us as long as we don’t give up on Him and the mission that He has set before us.

Be blessed dear reader. I hope that these words will help you in your faith journey in some way. Thank you for reading!

Your Humble Servant in Christ,

William