During the summer I do baseball chapels for the Dodgers Class A team. One of the reasons I enjoy this is because I like being around guys that are laying it all on the line and trying to beat the odds in making it to the major leagues. They all understand about being released. Here is a true story!

Released

"Most everyone will be released from baseball at some point, maybe even a few times. We are on our fifth time this week!

The worst part was telling the kids. They are old enough now (ages ten and six) to understand the ramifications and they hurt that their Daddy is no longer a Major Leaguer.

I struggle with the people in baseball that lie to you. And I struggle with being “pouty” and wanting my own comfort.

After being released, about all you can try and do is just to keep putting one foot in front of the other. It is especially hard going to the field and collecting all my husband’s things. Just knowing we are not welcome at this field any longer is horrible.

It makes me remember that no matter how many times we get rejected in baseball or in life, my Loving Savior, will never reject me. He will protect me, love me, provide for me and I will always have a special pass that will get me into the tunnels and family rooms of Heaven! No man can take away the comfort and joy I have in my salvation through Christ!"

Keeley Bowie

I think this is a great article and I am going to read and talk about this (with the ballplayers) because most of the guys will never make it to the major leagues! Most of the guys will be released!

But all of us know what it means to be released. Sometimes it will be from a job! Sometimes it will be from a relationship! Sometimes it will be from a marriage! Sometimes it will be from good health! Sometimes it will be from a loved one through death or illness! So what should we do?

I think Keeley gives some great advice. We start by putting one foot in front of the other and doing what we know needs to be done next no matter how painful. This means getting up each day and doing our daily responsibilities plus facing our emotions! Then we trust God with the unknown, our future.

I think an important question all of us must face is "Who is in control of my life?". Is it the Lord and me or is it the executive who released the Bowie's (or us), the boyfriend/girlfriend that released us, the spouse who released us, or sickness or death!

If we come to the conclusion it is not the Lord and me, we will never have any peace! But God is in control!

Here are some great verses the Lord has given us for such difficult times as these!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you!” Deuteronomy 31:6

“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope!” Jeremiah 29:11

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5

You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock Eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Rest of the Story

I contacted Keeley Bowie. Her husband is Micah and Micah was released from the Colorado Rockies after coming off the disabled list and completing his injury rehab. Micah has since been picked up by the Houston Astros Triple A team and is hoping to make it back to the Major Leagues.

My dear friends, let people who love you know when you have been or are feeling "released" so they can pray for you and comfort you! This is what the Body of Christ is for!

For those who feel God is to blame and has "released you" hang in there! He is a big boy and can take our anger and frustration! Even Jesus screamed, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"