Batting Our Innings

We are batting an innings

Life is the bowling spell,

Expect all kinds of bowlers

Prepare to bat them well.

A little is within our control

But there is much that is not

So we must be very careful

How we play every shot.

The bowling is very varied

If you understand what I mean

And the bowlers are proficient

In how to use the seam.

Life will bowl you bouncers

That will come at your head

Not only in what is done

But often in what is said.

Expect a barrage of them

And learn to play them well,

Rely on God’s Holy Word

To handle these bowling spells.

There will be also spin

Life will play you some tricks,

Its balls will spin prodigiously

They will leave you in a fix.

Whether turning leg or off

You might not be able to discern

But trust the Holy Spirit

To help negotiate the turn.

When the bowling is sweet

As occasionally it will be

Still be very watchful

For bouncers and googlelies.

They come without warning

And leave you in a mess,

They can be quite disconcerting

And rob you of sweet rest.

  

Yes, rest is very important

It’s a break in the bowling spell,

You can repair your pads and mittens

For what’s coming you cannot tell.

The batting is in the day

During the breaks you must rest,

This will help you to refresh

To take on the next day’s test.

Sometimes we like to swipe

And bat a little recklessly,

This can come with frustration

Or when the bowling seems sugary.

But there is required discipline

Whatever the bowling type

Do not be distracted by the crowd

And beware of emotional hype.

Make the best of the conditions

Whatever type they may be,

Keep your eyes on the ball

And control that impulsive glee.

Your innings may be short

Or it may be relatively long

But whatever the time you bat

Do so with a song.

A cheery spirit is necessary

The bowling can bog you down

But with a song in your heart

You can keep away that frown.

Don’t worry about the next ball

And forget the one that’s passed,

Neither of these can get you out

It’s always the one after the last.

Keep your concentration

Hide God’s Word in your heart

And whatever the conditions

Never from it depart.

At a point you’ll be given out

That dreaded finger will be raised

But you won’t even know

It is the end of your days.

Your innings will be reviewed

Regarding the boundaries you scored

Thereafter there will be just the memories

For you will bat no more.

Stewart Russell © June 2018