Curveballs

By Martha Boswell

Scripture: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways…”
~Isaiah 55:8 (NKJV)

Growing up, I had three brothers who played baseball. Since my dad was a pastor and a sports enthusiast, our lives revolved around worship services and practice schedules. My first word—after ‘Mama and Daddy’—was ‘ballgame.’ Most afternoons my stroller was parked next to the dugout watching my brothers play ball, listening to baseball lingo. As a result, baseball terms weave their way into my writing, either in dialogue or situations my characters encounter. Lately I’ve been thinking about curveballs, those crazy pitches that swerve and dip and swing to the left, changing the pace or outcome of the game. Life’s curveballs have profoundly affected my writing.

In 2013, I was serving on our church staff, working toward a master’s degree in ministry. My
family encouraged me to publish a book of devotionals I had written, so I took a leap of faith and followed their advice. Response to the book was positive. Sales were good, and so were the
reviews. It felt like I had hit it out of the park—a home run.

Three weeks later, my husband, David, had a serious accident—a traumatic brain injury. That
curveball changed our lives forever. My plans for an advanced degree, and my writing career
ended. My life as a full time caregiver began.

During those difficult days, the lessons I learned about God’s love and faithfulness were more
tender and practical than any seminary class or ministry degree. Doctor’s appointments, speech
and physical therapy sessions presented opportunities to share Christ’s hope with others facing
life’s curveballs. Looking back, it was almost as if God pulled me off the bench and put me
squarely in the game. The Major League.

By 2019, David’s health improved. I began to write again and completed my first novel. At a
book signing in January 2020, I sold out of books and donated the proceeds to our local brain
injury support group. That felt good. Another home run. I scheduled a second book signing for
March 2020. But that didn’t happen. Covid happened. Our lives were limited to our home,
isolated from friends and family. Another curveball.

Each morning I had to explain Covid restrictions to David. He struggled with separation from
our children and grandchildren, and we lost ground in his recovery. Then we discovered a brain
injury support group on Zoom, and they became our lifeline. Eventually, God led me to start a
local support group for caregivers of loved ones with long term disabilities. Now, ‘Caregivers
Coffees’ occur all across our state, offering support, encouragement, hugs and coffee. I learned
that God’s plans are always bigger than our plans. He transforms our disappointments into His
divine appointments.

As Christians, we should expect curveballs instead of being surprised by them. Hebrews 11
spotlights a ‘Hall of Fame’ dedicated to people who overcame incredible hardship to follow God.
Those heroes remind me of other biblical all-stars: Moses, panic-stricken, caught between the
Red Sea and Pharaoh’s chariots; Joshua, shading his eyes with a shaking hand surveying the
walls of Jericho, and Paul, confined to a cramped prison cell. They trusted God in difficult
circumstances. Through life’s curveballs.

For Christian writers, our mission is the same. Not to sugarcoat the life of faith, but to write
honestly—to have the courage to be transparent in our struggles and use our words to encourage others. I’m not the person I was before David’s accident. I’m different. A better listener. A better writer. Less afraid to fail and try again. Obstacles can become opportunities to witness God’s goodness and power.

Last year I released another book, Nothing to Lose. This novel is faith-based fiction, a story about brain injury, redemption and resilience. It hasn’t exactly been a home run or an Amazon best seller, but my faith in the One ‘who works all things together for good’ keeps me swinging for the fences.

Questions for Reflection:

-How has God turned an obstacle into an opportunity in your life?

-Should Christian fiction address serious subjects like long term illness, disability and
caregiving? Why or why not?

-What personal struggles could you incorporate into your writing to encourage others?
#caregiving#curveballs#baseballfan#wordsarepowerful#swingforthefences

~Obstacles can become opportunities to witness God’s goodness and power.

~He transforms our disappointments into divine appointments.

Before becoming a full time caregiver and author, Martha Boswell taught advanced English classes and served as a ministry assistant. Now she plans events for the brain injury community and hosts Caregiver Coffees. She loves watching baseball games with her kids and grandkids. Connect on Facebook @supperontheshelf or Instagram @tbiwifelife.