So here we are ladies, it’s spring training time again! For some of us that means it’s that time of year when we pack up our lives in suitcases and stuff our car to it’s full capacity and head out to wherever our guy is going. For others, it’s a bit harder time because it may mean goodbyes. Whatever the circumstance may be, we can all relate to the “baseball emotions” we may feel around this time of year. The “what ifs”. The “where well end up” thoughts. The nail biting nerves that you’ve forgotten you’ve had all off season but are reminded of the instant your husband takes his first at bat of spring.
Through the nerves and anticipation and roller coaster of emotions spring training can bring, I can say that a positive note and one of my favorite parts of this time of the year is catching up with my baseball girls! A great way I’m able to do this is through the Arizona Spring Training Ladies Luncheon that I’ve been so blessed to attend the last few years.
Last week marked the annual luncheon at Scottsdale Bible Church and I was so excited to be able to go. It’s always been a great time of encouragement. They provide lunch and childcare for those who have children and it’s always just refreshing to be around other girls that understand this lifestyle. The luncheon is put on by Baseball Chapel and PAO, both ministries of which I hold dear to my heart.
Before the actual luncheon, there was a bible study. I took notes, but have spent the last 20 minutes looking for them, so I gave up and am going to try go off memory. Anyways, I was so encouraged and blessed through it! The speaker (didn’t catch her name, sorry) spoke on Genesis 1. She talked about Eve and her role as a wife to Adam. She started it out with speaking about her own experience of being married to a baseball player and dealing with the emotions she experienced with that. She hit a lot of key points, that I’m sure a lot of us can relate to of feeling at one time or another. She talked about how at times she hated being labeled as “so and so’s” wife rather then just being called by her own name. She talked about how at times she would miss her independency. How at times she would catch herself complaining, wishing they had a “normal life“.
She shared an experience she had of sitting down one morning, reading her bible and realized that she needed to change her attitude and perspective on things. She was reading through Genesis and started to really study the person of Eve. A lot of us have heard this before, but God referred to Eve as Adam’s ‘Helpmate‘. Something I’ve personally have seen myself struggle with at times traveling with my husband is trying to figure out what ’my role’ is. At times I would find myself feeling inadequate. Thoughts like “my husband goes to the field everyday and has this great career, but what am I doing?” would come up ever so often. The Lord has done a work in my heart since and has shown me a lot in this area of my life. I was reminded of it once again through this bible study. She shared how the Hebrew word for ‘helpmate‘ is ‘Ezer‘. Ezer means Mighty Helper. You hear that ladies? We are our husband’s Mighty Helpers! She went on to share the strong influence Eve had on Adam and how we as wives have that same strong influence on our husbands, whether we travel with them or are apart.
Genesis 2:21-22 says, “So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.“ She shared a quote she heard over this passage that I’d like to pass on to all of you. She said she heard a pastor say once that, “God didn’t take the bone from the head of Adam so that Eve could rule over him, God didn’t take bone from Adam’s feet for Eve to be stepped on, God took bone from Adam’s rib so that Eve would stand beside him.” I love that!
All in all, I have been so blessed by what baseball chapel and PAO offers. This luncheon was a total blessing. I love to know that I do have a purpose and significant role, I wear proudly and embrace the title of being my husbands ‘Ezer’ on this crazy adventure that we are on.
To find out more info on baseball chapel or PAO, visit their websites at:
www.baseballchapel.org
www.PAO.org
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