MiLO25 - Blog 7

 

MiLO25 - Blog 7 What Do You Do When You Get Thrown A Curveball!

The best thing to do is admit your skills aren’t adequate enough to handle the pitch, step out of the box, take a deep breath, then turn and hand God the bat and allow Him to DH and handle the situation from there. Life is full of curveballs and situations you weren’t ready for. The hardest thing to do is to admit you need help, and the next hardest is to ask for it. Often we think, "I got this" and immediately step back in the box and think we are ready, but in reality we are not. All of us who have placed our trust and faith in Jesus have the greatest hitter of all time, the Hall of Famer of all Hall of Famer’s, who has a .1000 batting average, and yet we don’t let Him step in for us! Like all MiLO’s, this years is no different than the ones we have had in the past 19 years. Curveballs come toward us and things happen we hadn’t planned, or something happens we didn’t expect. For new players on the team and even seasoned veterans, that can be unnerving and raise questions of why or even take us to the point of wanting to do it our way anyway. Spirits can be dampened for sure, but taking that deep breath with Jesus, even three if needed, we realize God is in control and there are no surprises to Him.

Softball Hosanna was planning on heading back up to Zagreb to work with the U18 Croatia National Team, but when she woke up on Monday morning she had a message from the head coach saying that there would not be practice Monday. Over the weekend one of there top players had a collision with a teammate and broke her collarbone while in a tournament in Czech Republic. The coach admitted the team was down and this was a devastating blow to the team and their chances in the European Championships in Spain this coming weekend.

Hosanna was going back to Zagreb on Monday, but……..

As a result Hosanna would remain in Sisak and was at a loss of what to do. She and I prayed for the teammate, Sara, and her recovery, and for the team and coaches. Taking that step back helped her realize that this may be the exact reason she’s here for the team. Not for her pitching skills, but for her faith in our Lord and Savior. I immediately involved her in what we had planned for the day, so she joined me for a home visit, cleaning up the cafe storage closet and spending quality time with Lordan and Martina. God stepped in with His will and illuminated path that was far different than our plan. Remain vertically focused and His vision becomes your line of sight.

ER Visit Brandon (Turtle) had been feeling poorly for a few days and unable to eat, and stomach issues started to really keep him down. A couple of days before his flight home we decided it was best he go to the ER and get himself checked out. So who do you call in those situations: a trusted brother and key essential part of HiS Print Croatia.

Brandon ends up in the ER for a late night to early evening.

Lordan spent his late evening and early morning taking care of Brandon in the ER.

I will guarantee that no where in our plans did we write down that Brandon needed to go to the ER, and even when God handed those plans we prayed over to have His protection with each step, did we see that coming. But remaining vertically focused on Him, you remain connected and walk through the situations remember Jesus’ own words: “In this world you will have trouble, but I have overcome the world.” Hiding God’s word in your heart and taking 3 Deeps With Jesus help us remain patient and persevere when things done get accomplished when you think they should, in the manner that your mind thinks and with the no answer as to the cause you are given. You remember: God is in control and there are no surprises to Him.

HiS Place (Texas) Back home at HiS Place we had a wonderful sister bring her family over to HiS Place for a weekend get away. Vikki is a young lady I met many, many years ago in Slovenia, when she invited HiS Print to come and do a camp for her young team "The Mustangs." After several years of walking life with her in The Balkans, she and one of our football coaches got married and started a family living in Texas.

Vikki with us at our home. Our home became her sanctuary one weekend while I’ve been here.

Vikki and her kids needed some time to relax and get away so my bride opened our home to her and the kids. This gave them a chance to come out to HiS Place in Alvin and enjoy God’s creation, enjoy the animals and have some fun!

You never know in what form of a friend God may send you, even from over the shoulder.

Kids on the tractor pretending to be farmers!

Brett (BP) having fun with them and giving them turns on riding the tractor.

Remain vertically focused on Jesus and keep your eyes open. You never know where He will place a comforting hand or a special friend: may even come from behind and over your shoulder. Again thank you for taking the time to read what God is doing through HiS Ministry and for your continued prayer support. It would not be possible to accomplish all God has done without it! HE DID IT! David