While crazy, odd things do happen to me, some of them are quite incredible and beneficial.
For instance, I had an amazing thing happen during a softball game when I was twelve years old. I was playing second base and there was a runner on first. The batter hit the ball to the outfield.
Immediately, I went to my base and spun around to catch the ball I knew would be thrown to me. But this time, there was a small problem; I didn’t have my glove turned the correct way. Usually, I had the glove turned with the palm or pocket of the glove facing outward and toward the person throwing the softball. But for some reason, I had my glove turned palm upward with the inside of it facing the sky.
Needless to say, I was not in the best position to catch the ball when it came hurtling toward me. I didn’t even have time to adjust my glove. Worst of all, the runner was quickly advancing toward second base.
I still remember the ball slamming into my glove, but it didn’t stop there. It was thrown with such force that it practically bounced off the inside of the glove and into my stomach. You know, to this day, I don’t remember feeling the pain from that. I guess I blocked it since my main concern at that point was not letting my teammates down.
The girl running toward second was a forced run since the batter was running to first base, so all I had to do was hold onto the softball as I stood on the base. If I didn’t have the ball in my possession, then the runner would be safe. Unfortunately, that meant she had a better chance to score in an already close game with us only two runs ahead of the other team. If we lost the game, I didn’t want it to be my fault.
I bent over, but the ball had so much momentum that didn’t stop there. I literally felt it roll down my stomach. There was no way I was going to let it drop to the ground. Instinctively, I closed my knees around the softball as it rolled down my legs. Incredibly, it worked.
There I stood, slightly stooped with my knees holding the softball in place between them. I didn’t move a muscle and held my breath as the runner’s foot touched second base. I had such a feeling of relief when the ump shouted “Out!” Of course, I thanked God for my little stunt. No way I could’ve done that without Him.
“My help cometh form the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2 (KJV)
When we think of help coming from The Lord, we often envision something grand as the parting of the Red Sea. But in reality, His help comes in the perfect form that we need, even catching a softball with your knees. And here’s another thought, there are probably times we didn’t even realize the help He did give to us.
As I was writing this story, I had a realization. That runner could’ve bumped into me and the softball would’ve dropped to the ground, which would’ve kept her safe on second. Maybe she was stunned and just as amazed as I was at the way I stopped he ball. Let’s face it, you don’t see something like that every day.
Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.