By DARRYL WOOD / Guest Columnist

Long, lanky Frankie struck fear in the hearts of hitters in the 11- to 12- year-old Little League. He stood tall above the other boys, arms hanging almost to his knees.

Frankie’s overhead curve looked unhittable. As a right hander, I watched that ball dive toward my head.

Then it whistled past before plunking the catcher’s mitt for a strike.

Of course, by the time the ball arrived in the mitt, I lay flat on the ground in a fetal position. Frankie had the whole league shaking in its cleats.

Our coach sat the team down before we played Frankie and the Indians again.

He advised, “Keep your eye on the ball from the time it leaves Frankie’s hand until it gets to the plate. You can’t hit a ball you don’t see.”

Eye on the ball? No way.

Let the coach hit Frankie’s curve!

But Tommy, our third baseman, decided he’d had enough dirt.

He was determined to watch the ball.

The first two strikes Tommy flinched, but he didn’t go down.

Then he measured where he figured the ball would go and swung hard at the next pitch. Home run for Tommy.

What causes you to hit the dirt in fear?

Entry into a dark house late at night?

Bad weather?

Rumors of lay-offs? The illness of a spouse, child or parent?

The Bible emphasizes that “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

This perfect love represents the unselfish love God offers you through Jesus.

How can that help when you feel like giving in to fear? John said fear and love cannot co-exist.

When God loves you, He shows fear the door and calms you with His presence.

God’s love implants confidence in the face of your worst nightmare.

So next time a “Frankie” throws you a curve, keep your eyes on the love of Christ.

Darryl Wood is pastor of First Baptist Church of Vincent. You can reach him at 672-2512 or by email at dwood132@fbcvincent.org.

Editor’s note: The Reporter is always looking for new pastors interested in writing a monthly column focused on helping readers enrich their spiritual lives. For more information, e–mail Jan Griffey at jan.griffey@shelbycountyreporter.com.