Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - When Hard Knocks Lead to Heavenly Results

It was in the heat of summer when I met Brian on the baseball field. He and I tried out and made a Class A minor league baseball team, which was for both of us, a dream come true. But as I got to know Brian, it became obvious that the dream he was living out on the field was not the same reality he faced at home.

Brian's life "off the field" was going downhill rapidly. His car completely quit on him just prior to making the team, and he had just received news that his girlfriend was pregnant. To make matters worse, he was facing his situation without a Savior. But that was soon to change.

After a few weeks of playing baseball with Brian and gradually getting to know him, the Lord allowed me the opportunity to introduce Brian to the One who could give him comfort through his struggles and purpose beyond his performance on the baseball diamond. In tears one afternoon, Brian yielded his life to Jesus Christ and asked Him to help him pick up the broken pieces.

Years later, I spoke with Brian. He and his girlfriend got married; she gave birth to a healthy, beautiful daughter. He quit work as a bartender and went back to complete his education. He was now serving the Lord, while working as a school teacher.

Brian's story is a reminder to us that God cares about people who are "doing life" without Him. In fact, He cares enough to allow hard knocks to enter the picture as a means of softening hearts to His message of hope.

As you pray for opportunities to represent Christ in your daily life, keep this truth in mind and be prepared to show the compassion of Jesus to someone around you who may be holding the pieces of what's left of their life in their hands with nowhere to turn. You may be just the person who can help them find the Glue they are desperate for.