August 29, 2011 Devotional

YOU CAN DO IT!

        
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was on the pitcher's mound and our team was in the final game of playoffs. The count was full.  The girl that stepped up to the plate looked first of all, like she was going to hurt me and secondly, like she was going to hit the ball into the next county.  Our coach motioned to the outfield to move back-wayyyy back.
 
Talk about pressure! It was up to me to pitch a ball that would hopefully strike her out. Standing there, I listened as the crowd cheered her on.  Not only that, they were shouting a few derogatory remarks about me!  "She can't do it...don't worry about her...you got it easy."  It seemed as though everyone was on her side.
 
As I got in position to pitch, the crowd got silent. All eyes were on me. Everyone was waiting to see what would happen. As I focused on the catcher, something caught my eye. Just above the umpire's head, behind the fence, I saw someone slowly stand up. That someone was my father. All of a sudden, in the midst of the overwhelming silence, he yelled, "Come on April, YOU CAN DO IT! THIS is the winning strike!"
 
I can't tell you what that did for me. That was my dad whom I absolutely adored. The dad who'd worked with me to be the best pitcher I could be. If anyone knew what I had in me, it was him. After all, if Daddy said I could do it, then I must be able to do it!  And you know what? I did! And victory was sweet!
 
How often do we, as pastor's wives, go through difficulties feeling like we're all alone? Because of our position, we're limited to people with whom we can share our battles. It often feels like everyone's cheering for the "other" side. And the giants we're facing seem like they're in a league of their own.
 
Romans 8:34 says, "The One who died for us...is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us."  I love that scripture! It promises us that no matter how overwhelmed, under-qualified or alone we might feel, God is cheering us on. He is fully confident that we can handle whatever pressures come our way. After all, He knows what we're made of.  He's put a lot of work into us and has designed us for absolute victory.
 
Maybe you're feeling the pressure right now. Maybe you're on that "pitcher's mound" and everyone's looking at you to see what you're made of. Hey, it's ok. Take a deep breath. Don't listen to the naysayers. Now...look beyond what's staring you in the face.  Little bit higher.  Ah, there He is.  Listen...I think you might hear Him saying, "Come on!  You can do it!  This is the strike that is going to bring you the victory!"

April Simons               

High Point Church   
Arlington, TX        
www.highpointchurch.com