TEN YEARS LATER, NOW I UNDERSTAND

God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.

Jeff was an intense and outstanding baseball player. God seemed to bless his every move. He lost only one game he pitched in high school and that was a one run game on a nasty day when he made an error throwing to second base. As a Jr., he was selected All-State shortstop and as a Sr., All-State pitcher. That year, he led his team to the state championship. His success and God's blessings continued at Barton County Community College. They had worked their way to the regional championship game. Jeff's parents had thought they would not attend the game because of the distance, but Jeff called them mid-afternoon and asked them to come as he had just found out he was to pitch the most important game of his life and he wanted them to be there. They arrived at Dodge City just as the game began. Jeff struggled through the first inning, but gave up only one run. The second inning was just a tad better and he got out of that one with no damage done. The third inning was bad. He was throwing hard strikes on the comers, but the opposing team seemed to hit every one. Several runs scored. The fourth inning started out the same and coach had seen enough. A very.disappointed and tearful Jeff left the mound feeling he had let down himself: his teammates, his family and his school. What had happened? This was not the kind of performance people had always seen from Jeff. Where was God tonight? Why? Why? Why?

That was the last game Matt and Jeff would play together. Matt had been on the same team with Jeff all during high school, including the state championship. Jeff had gotten a scholarship to play at Barton county. Matt was a year behind Jeff in school. When it came time for Matt to go to college the next year, Jeff talked his coach into giving Matt a scholarship as well. Matt worked hard and made the team. He was a big strong kid who could hit the ball. Matt was a very likeable, friendly kid, but he desperately missed a father in his life. His mother was a very loving, caring woman that always wanted the best for her son. She did what she could, but Matt struggled with his personal life and he began to drink. Jeff befriended Matt on many occasions and often encouraged him to go to church and to live as God would have him to live. Matt would go to church for awhile and then fall back into the same old patterns. Life was an up and down experience for him. After Jeff left Barton county, the two had no contact with each other for the next ten years.

Then one day, the telephone rang at Jeff's home and it was Matt's mother. Matt had finally graduated from college and she was having a celebration for him. She wanted Jeff to please come as he had had so much influence on his life.

When Jeff, his wife Jesica and young son arrived at the celebration, they found it to be at the church where Matt, his lovely wife and two beautiful daughters now faithfully attend. There was a happy reunion and a great celebration. Matt asked Jeff: "Of all the games we played together, do you know which one I remember the most?" Jeff asked, "Which one?" Matt said, "The last one, the championship game at Dodge. You were having the worst outing of your life. Then the coach came to the mound and took you out of the ball game. I looked up in the stands and there were only two people standing and giving you an ovation, your Mom and Dad. That was the moment I decided that was the kind of father I wanted to be to my children."

Oh! Praise God who is worthy to be praised. Thank you Jesus. Now I understand. Forgive my unbelief.

~ a true story from a member at Plainview