June 1, 2021
A Lesson from Babe Ruth
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19, NIV).
Friend to Friend
My husband was determined to teach me how to fish … whether I wanted to learn or not. We were on vacation with our two children, and everyone was getting in on Dan’s fishing lessons.
Danna had already announced that she would never - under any circumstances - touch a worm or a fish. Dan and Jered promised to bait her hook and reel in any fish she caught. I knew what they were thinking: the possibility of Danna actually learning how to cast a line or catch a fish was so remote that they had nothing to fear. They could not have been more wrong.
The fish seemed to jump on Danna’s hook. She squealed with excitement as she literally dragged fish after fish onto the shore and watched her brother and dad hurriedly unhook the fish and toss it back in the water.
I was next.
Dan patiently explained that the reel should be below the rod. I could sense his confidence wane when I asked him which thing-a-ma-jig was a rod and which doohickey was a reel. He pressed on, promising that I would be catching fish in no time as he gave me a list of directions – none of which I understood.
After several failed attempts to cast my line, Dan patiently smiled and said, “Your timing is just a little off, honey. Fishing is all about timing.”
I could not have agreed more. It was time for me to go back to the cabin, grab a book and drink, and head for the hammock.
Dan decided to call in our son for support. Jered looked at me and said, “Mom, do you really want to do this?” He knows me well. “Nope! Not even a little bit,” I said. He grinned and said, “Just relax and have fun.” I could not imagine fishing and fun existing in the same world, but I tried.
My hook got caught in rocks, bushes and the back of my shirt. At that point, I said, “Enough! I am done!”
Dan said, “Honey, think about Babe Ruth.” What?
Dan said, “Babe Ruth said the difference between a foul ball and a homerun is timing. The same is true of fishing.”
I. Did. Not. Care. When Dan saw that look in my eye, he grinned and said, “Want to head back to the cabin?” I did.
As I lay in the hammock, I breathed in the sweet mountain air and let my thoughts wander, landing on the subject of timing.
A financial need arises, and I panic – until the unexpected check arrives.
Discouragement makes me want to quit – until an email of thanks hits my inbox.
I want the chronic pain to be taken away – until I realize God uses it to keep me desperate for Him.
Yes! God’s timing is perfect. It always has been and always will be perfect. Why can’t I accept that truth? When will I learn to walk by faith, knowing that He is faithful even when I am faithless?
It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood.
It was by faith that Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and too old.
It was by faith that Abraham offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God.
It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground.
It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.
God’s ways are higher than our ways and the ways of this broken world.
God’s thoughts surpass the highest human thought we will ever have.
God will always come through for us.
God is for us.
God is faithful.
We really can trust Him to work at the right time and in the right way for our good and for His glory.
Let’s Pray
Father, thank You for meeting the needs in my life in Your perfect timing. Your faithfulness sustains me, and Your mercy blesses my life. I praise You, God!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read Psalm 104:13-15. How does this passage of Scripture encourage you to trust God in every area of your life?
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© 2021 by Mary Southerland. All rights reserved.
Originally published Tuesday, 01 June 2021.
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