I would be lying if I told you things were great down here in Orlando — but things are changing. These past two weeks have been harder than usual, but like always, our God pulled us through :-).
Just shy of two years out of surgery, Dustin is still not healthy. There is a reason for this and only God knows this answer. This entry is a going to be a bit personal, but it is truly straight from my heart.
I always hear the guys (Dustin’s baseball friends) say that it is harder to be down here for a week than with a team for a month, even though the days here are shorter and there is no weekly traveling. Simply put, it’s mentally straining down here for them. I think they consider it a big black hole, kind of a trap. They don’t know how long they will be here because in the minor leagues it’s all about filling spots. Even if they are healthy and cleared to play again, they can’t go anywhere until a spot opens up.
With all of that being said, things are getting a little repetitive down here. Rehab, rehab, rehab… (whatever that means).
Monday night was extremely difficult. Dustin felt that it might be his time to let go and walk away – that maybe there was another plan out there for him. That means walking away from nearly 20 years of hard work and a dream that is closer than ever to coming true. The worst part is I almost let him. No, I’m not his mother, decision maker, agent, or life coach but sometimes in life we need people there to help us through times like these. Someone to tell us to keep on pushing, working and fighting.
This morning as I was reading the Bible, it was amazing – God let me right to this verse,
“When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did.” 2 Timothy
This is exactly what I need to help Dustin do; to keep going when the going gets tough.
After rehabbing for almost two years, now is the time to fight for it, not let it get you down, and often, we all need someone to remind us of that. No matter how tired of this place he is, I need to give him the push he needs to follow his dream.
Another frustrating thing about the minor league life is the minor league salary. Sometimes it’s hard and we will allow it to get to us, but just as fast, God reminds us,
“A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered this world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.” 1 Timothy 6: 6-8
And it truly is. There is not a price tag that can be put on true happiness, and true happiness can only be found through God, not money. During this time, I think that is something we can all take with us and need reminding of.
As I pray for more ways to help rejuvenate Dustin’s soul and remind him that one day, his hard work WILL pay off, on or off the field, I am so thankful God continues to help us through these times of confusion. After all, isn’t that what life is all about?
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