Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

A Storu for YouthCarrying Throughby Lilian Burnett, Scarborough, OntarioAnswering the telephone, Tom heard the coach ofhis school team say, "Our new pitcher was in an accident.I'd like you to take over again.""But you kicked me off the team, Sir," Tom answeredin an offended tone of voice."You know the reason I did so, Tom," Mr. Pattersonsaid seriously. "Though you were the best pitcher wecould hope to get, we could never depend on you to be ata game or stay through. But I've learned that you'vebecome a Christian since then. So things should be different.Speaking quickly, Tom questioned, "But won't theboys wonder, Sir—I mean—about your putting me backon the team?""I'm going to tell them why I am doing so, Son; and,speaking from my Christian experience, I am telling yousomething, too. In His Savior's strength a believer cancarry through whatever God wants Him to do.""Why would God want me to play ball?" Tom asked."The important thing is not for you to pitch awinning game," Mr. Patterson answered. "It is for you tobe there and stay withit when things are hard, provingthat you're truly a changed young man."Tom was thoughtful for a moment. Then he saidquietly, "I'll be at the game and I'll stay through."When the conversation ended, Tom dialed hisfriend. "I'm pitching again," he called excitedly. "I'll beplaying on Saturday."Joe did not seem happy about the news. "We won'tbe seeing so much of each other", he replied, with a sigh.At the practice on Friday Tom met an unfriendlygroup. "Get us another pitcher!" the boys cried. "TomMorton won't stay put!" And when he continued playing,his team-mates taunted him.Tom left the field that afternoon in a discouragedmood. Coming to his street, he met his friend Joe."Remember the fishing trip my brother has beentalking about," Joe said enthusiastically. "Well, Bill justcame home and told me that tomorrow is the day. Howabout coming with us, Tom?""But the game is early tomorrow!" Tom exclaimed;his face wearing a frown.10"You've excused yourself from pitching many timesbefore. You surely can doit once again. We both enjoyfishing so much!""I like pulling in a fish much better than pitching agame of ball. But I must please my Lord Jesus; and I knowHe wants me to be at the game.""I don't understand you lately," Joe replied, walkingaway.Saturday morning Tom was nervous and his pitchingwas not good. The shouting against him began early andgraduallyit grew worse.At a time when his patience was wearing, Joe sidledup to him. "I thought I'd come, before we left, to see if youhad changed your mind," he said. Then listening to thebickering, he added: "If I were you I wouldn't stay andcater to this crowd.""I don't deserve the treatment they're giving me,"Tom told himself. Turning abruptly to his friend, he said,"I'm going with you, Joe."As he started toward Mr. Patterson, a student calledfrom the stands, "You didn't tell us, fellow, how you gotback into the game."Before Tom could answer, the team's first-basemanshouted back: "He soft-soaped the coach with somereligious talk; something about being saved from sin andcarrying through."Tom quickly told his friend that he had changed hismind. "I forgot the important thing," he said. "I must carrythrough.""Forgive me, Lord," he whispered as he ran back."And give me enough of Your own strength to stay withit."Trusting in His Savior, Tom lost his nervousness. Hispitching improved and, eventually, his team won thegame."Sorry we treated you so badly," the captain said asthe team gathered around Tom to cheer. "We knew JesusChrist could forgive sins, but we didn't believe He couldmake a fellow stick to his guns.""Your playing today was a testimony," Mr. Pattersontold him.The next morning Tom was surprised to see Joe slideinto a seat beside him at (Sabbath) School."I've come to learn about your Jesus," Joe saidquietly. "You sure must think a lot of Him to miss a goodtime to please Him."Writing his answer on paper, Tom handed it to Joe.It read: "Yes, I love the Lord Jesus because He died forme. And I'm happy because now I belong to Him, I cancarry through the things that I should do. With His help Ican be dependable!"The ShantymanCOVENANTER WITNESS