Getting to First Base

 

                              It seems like EVERYONE knows how to get to first base.

It is one of the things baseball players learn early. Most of them could do it with their eyes closed. They don’t even have to think about it.

            Everyone knows how to get to first base, except some of those first year players. That first year of Tee Ball is so fun. The players are only five or six years old. Most of them still need help tying their cleats. Many of them don’t know their right from their left yet. And yes, some of them do not know their way to first base, at least at the beginning of the season.

            We can’t blame them. With the excitement of the game, the crowd cheering, and parents yelling, it can be hard to remember for these young players. Even with the ball sitting on the tee, a hit is not always guaranteed at this age. So, when they finally do hit the ball off the tee, their adrenaline soars, and they just don’t remember what to do next. Sometimes they run to third base. Sometimes they run to second base. Sometimes they run randomly out to the outfield, not having a clue what they are doing. Their parents and coach can be yelling,

 “Run to first! Run to first!”

But if they are new to the game, and overflowing with excitement, along with the crowd, running to first base may not be an automatic response for them.

            It is one of the basic fundamentals of baseball. When you hit the ball, you run to first base. How could anyone miss it?

            Isn’t that how we are sometimes, even as adults? Something exciting happens in our life, whether good or bad, that gets our adrenaline rushing, and what do we do first? Do we run to first base, where our Heavenly Coach is standing and waving to us? No, I admit, sometimes I don’t, even though I have long known how to tie my cleats and can confidently tell my right from my left.

            No, sometimes when something exciting or awful happens, I run to tell a friend first. Or, I run around aimlessly, worrying. Or, I rush quickly to play the ‘Worst Case Scenario Game,’ just like a tee ball player, running to the outfield.  Sometimes, I don’t even look up to see my Heavenly Coach waiting patiently for me to touch base with Him. Whether it is for encouragement, affirmation, guidance or correction, I need to be running first to my Heavenly Coach.

            How about you? Are you busy running from appointment to appointment? Are you so busy worrying that you forget to put first things first? When life fills you with adrenaline, because of either a good or bad hit, I hope you are running to first base, first thing, knowing that your Coach is waiting for you there.