If you live in the Houston area, I am sure you have been swept up in the tidal wave that has become the Houston Astros…The World Champion Houston Astros! I have watched the Astros off and on all of my life. My parents had season tickets growing up, and my sister and I spent many nights in the Astrodome cheering on Cruz, Biggio, and Bagwell. (Those are Astros players from the 80’s and 90’s for those that aren’t familiar.)

I can remember year after year watching my Dad hoping that they would make the playoffs, and year after year it just never happened. They got close a time or two, even made the World Series in 2005, but the dream never became a reality…until this year.

My Dad in his high school baseball days!

The minute that final out was called on Wednesday night the tears started flowing for so many Houstonians. Some that were baseball fans and some that were just caught up in the excitement of it all.

I called my Dad after they won and he couldn’t even contain his emotion. His dreams had finally come true. My mom said that all he kept saying was, “I am so glad I was still here to see this!” Years of hopes and dreams finally coming to fruition for a true fan! It was just too much to contain his excitement and emotion.

We have all heard the players say that they played and won for all of us. They won for the fans of over 50 years, they won for the fans that just found them, and they won for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. They fought and won so that this city could breathe again and smile again and be reminded that we are all in this together.

What struck me most as I watched our Hometown Heroes in the victory parade was the bus that drove by carrying Cruz, Biggio, and Bagwell. Their Astro careers have long been over, but yet there they were in the World Champion parade with the biggest smiles on their faces. I bet if you asked them they would have told you they felt like they were part of the 2017 team. They would have said that their dreams had come true.

Because you see that is how creative and how big our God is. He doesn’t leave us in our present condition. He doesn’t ignore our hopes and dreams. He is always working things out for our good. He may not have answered the dreams you have right now, but He has heard your prayers.

He leaves no stone unturned. It may not be in your timing or it may not look exactly like what you think it will, but He is faithful. Just go ask the Houston Astros of the 1980’s and 1990’s that got to ride in a victory parade. They didn’t have to be included, but somehow God worked it out and got them there.

Go ask my Dad who probably will tear up the minute you mention his beloved Astros! He never thought he would be here to see it, but he is! God is faithful yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Our God is an all-inclusive God! He invites all of us to the table, to the celebration. We all have a seat waiting for us at the feast with Him. He is just asking us to have faith and believe and trust Him and His timing! I am willing to trust Him with all of my hopes and dreams, are you?

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

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV

Lessons in Baseball by Natalie Gibb

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