A Swing, a Miss and a Cheer?

Last year, I swung the bat hard and missed the ball.

I struck out. So many times.

And it was the playoffs. And it was the bottom of the ninth in game seven and I needed my bat to connect with the ball.

At least it felt like everything was on the line.

This could have been really tough.

You see, I spent my entire life trying to hit the ball.

Not just hit the ball. I swung for the fences with every pitch. I needed to hit a home run.

Because if I didn’t hit a home run, who would love me?

If I couldn’t knock it out of the park, who could I impress?

If I couldn’t impress someone, how could I be worthy of acceptance?

Let alone love.

*Sigh*

*Big exhale*

This was tough.

But something changed last year.

Actually, it’s probably been in process for much longer than a year, but last year was special.

It was a hard year. But it was incredible too.

Jesus showed me how much he loves me. There is nothing more or less I could do to earn this love. And it’s incredible.

And after a lifetime of trying to hit home runs to be able to get even a nod of approval from a few people in a sea of people I’ve never met, something changed.

I struck out big time last year, and everyone in the crowd cheered.

You see, the crowd changed.

It wasn’t even a crowd any more. It was a small group of the people who mattered most to me.

My inner circle has been cheering me on my whole life and has never stopped. Every time I came up to bat, they cheered. Every time I swung, they cheered. And every time I missed they stood up and applauded.

Aren’t love and grace so beautiful? And just so incredibly hard to wrap your mind around?

I can’t tell you how incredible it is to have a group of people cheering me on in pursuing risks that come with me pursuing the fulfillment of the purpose I have to accomplish on this earth.

I spent so many years feeling alone. I felt like I didn’t have a friend.

I found a deep well of unconditional love that never runs dry. And I have found my people.

Who are you swinging the bat for? Are they applauding you regardless of the result?