I remember when I made the decision to get out of coaching. I left a pitcher in a critical game one hitter too long and the result was a three -run homerun that might as well have landed right between my eyes.

I started out of the dugout twice to bring in a relief pitcher, but I changed my mind before reaching the top step. We not only lost the game, but also our one shot at making the NCAA play-offs after years of working to get the program to that point.

That poor game decision put a period on the end of my coaching career. The coach in me died that day. I had nothing left to give the job and I would have rather chopped wood for a living than remain a college baseball coach.

Even though I loved the relationships developed over the years, I was burnt out. I had a good job at a great university, but I knew that I was not capable of bringing my players to their full potential when my heart was no longer in it.

I was lost in many ways after hanging up my coaching shoes. All of a sudden, I was no longer doing something I was certain I was going to be doing for my entire life. I had dreamed of coaching at my alma mater, Texas Tech, but that dream never became a reality. When I quit coaching, that dream died, and I stopped chasing it.

It is an unsettling place to be when you stop chasing a dream for yourself.

Sometime dreams die, relationships don’t work out, businesses fail, and your bank account hits zero – sometimes all at once. You look up from the gravel of life and ask yourself, “now what am I gonna do?”

Doors close in life, but thankfully God leaves windows open to new opportunities, people, and dreams. This leads me to believe that everything does happen for a reason, but most of the time I don’t see the reasons for an extraordinarily long while.

Life does not end when things don’t work out as planned, although it may feel like it at the moment. All l know how to do is dust myself off, get my feet back underneath me, give it another go, and don’t get tired of doing the right thing.

Godly living leads to Godly encounters. Some encounters we never saw coming but had prayed for. Being in the right spot at the right time can be a mini act of God.

The only way to avoid failure, heartache, and disappointment in life is to do, say, and be nothing. I am sure you have heard the saying, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.” I have no doubt God has had a few knee slappers on my behalf.

Every Easter I am reminded of new beginnings. When all was thought to be lost, a new day was given to all who believe. Light overcame darkness and victory overcame defeat. Mankind got a “do over” at learning unconditional love.

I’m no biblical scholar, but I like to believe that Jesus died for all. He did not slowly peek his head out of the tomb looking only for a specific denomination, lifestyle, ethnicity, or political party. The man just walked out with his arms -and his heart – wide open. A free opportunity for redemption without the hint of judgement. It’s not my job to figure out others’ relationship with God, I’m busy enough keeping my act together.

If He had been looking only for the deserving, then Jesus would have walked right past a wretch like me. We all qualify for God’s grace, just ask the thief on the cross about that. He didn’t spend a day in church or a minute in bible study, but he is with Jesus today simply because he asked.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I’m found.

Was blind, but now I see.”

Happy Easter!

***

Todd Howey is a columnist for BrownwoodNews.com whose articles appear on Fridays. Email comments to [email protected].