Curve Ball

"Strike One!"  Hang on, who said anything about a curve ball?  I thought we were playing straight forward old-fashioned softball, and here comes a curve ball?  Heck, I didn't even know we were playing softball, I thought we were playing soccer.  Wait, really I didn't even realize we were playing a game with balls involved!

Have you ever been thrown a curve ball?  One that catches you so completely off guard that you realize not only is it a game changer, but it is a whole different sport being played?  I'm sure you have.  I have.  And they can be good curve ball surprises or bad curve ball surprises.  Death, birth, sickness, health, marriage, divorce, job, unemployment, wealth, poverty............one thing changes the game, tips the scales. 

I've been thinking a lot about that lately, not only for myself but also because of others in my life.  I've been reading this book called A Hole in Our Gospel and the author shares some words of wisdom from his wife when he's contemplating a major life change.  He's fighting God's direction for a major career change after having spent a couple of decades to get to the top of the CEO heap of a major American company.  And he's questioning his wife on why God would throw him so far off the course that took him so long to get down.  And she said, maybe he's actually saving us from something.  Maybe if you stayed on your course something bad could happen to one of our children or an accident or devastation could flatten us - couldn't this be God taking you to a safer happier better place???

To the author, the new direction looked scarier.  Riskier.  More dangerous.  But it could have just been God's way of keeping him safe under His wings. 

That curve ball may throw you or me for a loop.  It may be a game changer.  Heck, it may be a different sport now altogether.  But if God's pitching, that curve ball may be the best thing that ever happened to you or me. 

Psalm 139:  O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.
Proverbs 2 - He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints.

Proverbs 3 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.