Finalist 1: Courtney AndexlerVote Now

What’s In Your Hands?

Last summer my family and I packed up our car and headed towards the baseball field. It was the beginning of the summer and our first family outing in awhile. We showed our wristbands to the security guards and made our way to the outfield. I was so excited to be there, watch some baseball, and enjoy my family. I watched snapshots of different innings, but if I’m being honest more time was spent laughing, talking, and creating memories than watching the game itself. 

During one particular inning I noticed a man dressed up as a clown making metallic balloon animals. I think my mom noticed him too because we both looked at each other simultaneously and giggled. Just like little girls we made our way to the line of children who were accompanied by their parents. As we stood there my mom and I talked about next steps in our lives when we were interrupted by a crack in the air. The player at bat made direct contact with the ball and it flew out of the field as the announcer declared a home run over the intercom. Then like a scene in an action movie, the ball bounced on the sidewalk in front of me and landed in my hands. The whole crowd shuffled in their seats to look at me including my mom and I couldn’t help but laugh. What are the odds of attending a baseball game and the home run ball just so happens to fall into my hands? Probably, not very often. 

Ever since that day I’ve kept the ball propped up on my dresser. I look at it sometimes and my face folds into a smile as I think about the irony of that day. One thing I learned that afternoon is that something so ordinary, like a baseball, can become extraordinary depending on whose hands it’s in. Without the touch from a talented player it would be just another ordinary ball. 

In the same way, this season of my life has reflected that baseball game. I’ve encountered Jesus’ home run hit of love, encouragement, hope, mercy, and truth. It just so happened to land in my hands because that’s what God’s love does. It may look ordinary to some, but what makes it special is that it was touched by a talented player, Jesus. Sometimes I look at that baseball and I think it’s ordinary too and I give it no attention. In fact, it’s been easier for me to focus on what I don’t have than what I do. I can be so caught up in the magnitude of the moment or sucked into the distractions that come with being quarantined that I miss out on the opportunity to use what I’ve been given. The Lord blessed me with His home run hit so that I could be a blessing. Jesus has taken something ordinary and turned it into something extraordinary for a reason. Humbly He placed it in my hands and gave me free will to steward it because He loves me and love doesn’t set expectionations. Jesus simply reminds me who I am, His love for me, and His desire for me to be a part of His work in the world. It’s my choice to say yes and steward what’s in my hands even if that means it’s vulnerable, scary, or uncertain. 

Now when I look at that baseball it means more to me than it did a year ago. It has become a symbol of God’s extraordinary work in my life even when I don’t see it. Sometimes I forget to steward His blessings, but somehow God always encircles me back into His divine love and reminds me of that game in which He hit the ball straight into my hands.