Sport-Specific Contexts

In track and field, the most honest opponent you face is your previous self. A devotional about the personal record and what it means to compete against who you were.

The race ended before it started. A devotional for the athlete who was disqualified before they had a chance to compete.

The throwers, jumpers, and vaulters train for a moment that happens in a corner of the stadium while everyone watches the track. A devotional for the invisible athletes.

Four athletes. One baton. The handoff happens in a window measured in meters and fractions of seconds. A devotional about what the relay demands from a team.

Wind, rain, surface, heat. Track and field happens outdoors and the conditions are not consulted. A devotional about competing fully in what you cannot control.

The softball pitcher is the only player on the field who touches every pitch. A devotional about the particular weight of the circle.

When the big hit doesn’t come, the game is won with singles, bunts, and stolen bases. A devotional about the discipline of small ball.

One game is done. Another one starts in an hour. A brief devotional for the space between games of a doubleheader.

Softball games are often decided by defensive execution. A devotional about the discipline and identity of a team that defends.

The walk-off win and the walk-off loss are the two most extreme emotional experiences in softball. A devotional for both sides of that final at-bat.