What Little Leaguers taught me about mammograms

 Our family has recently become infatuated with Little League baseball.  We have friends whose son is on a team, and so this week, we have gone to a few of his games.  I am not impressed when a grown man can catch a baseball, but when a five year old does it?  That is miraculous!  And when they run the bases?  Oh my. There they are in their baseball helmets that are bigger than their entire bodies, pumping those short legs with all their might, deep furrowed scowl etched in total dedication to get to their goal.

And there I am in the stands, coming totally unglued screaming, “Run, Buddy, RUN!!” until I have no voice left.

For kids I don’t even know.

And I realize that I am overly excited because these Little Leaguers are teaching me something as they run those bases.

You see, I have my second follow up mammogram this coming Tuesday.  Scans for cancer patients and those who love them are hard on every one.  But I am a cancer survivor.  Yet it is still a scary thing to face.  And I often find myself looking for a corner to crawl into rather than run towards that goal.  Why?

I think the “why” for me is that I have yet to achieve full confidence in The Lord’s provision for me.  If I knew with absolute certainty to my very core that He’s got me hedged in, I would be pumping my short legs with all my might towards Tuesday, confident that He’s in total control of it all.

Praise THE LORD that His protection over me is not dependant on my perfection, but only in the Perfection of Jesus who gave His life for me.  And you.

Paul wrote in his letter to the Hebrews that we should run with endurance the race that is set before us.  (Hebrews 12:1)  One cannot run such a race without training.  And every situation you find yourself in is training ground for that race. 

 

The creator intends for you to run it with legs pumping and brows furrowed as you strain towards the goal, just like those Little Leaguers running the bases.

 

He’s in the stands coming unglued over YOU, beloved!  His love for you is deeper and wider than you can ever fathom!  (Ephesians 3:18-19)  You are precious in the eyes of your creator! (Ephesians 1:4-5)

 

Run, Buddy, RUN!!