Throughout my high school career, my Christian faith has given me strength through many obstacles. However, one of the most trying occurred in November of my junior year, when I was diagnosed with an L5 stress fracture. As a softball player, the news was devastating especially since I had just had an Ulnar Nerve Repositioning Surgery in August of my sophomore year. I believed my junior year would finally be my year to play to the best of my ability without any pain or injuries. However, the injury that should have healed in two to three months turned into an eight-month ordeal and I questioned why this too had happened to me. I had already dealt with pain in my right arm for three years after being hit by a pitch. An athleteβs biggest year for recruiting is their junior year, and due to my injury, I would be unable to attend the many college softball camps that I had planned to. I wondered if I was meant to continue my softball career or give up something I loved so much. After much prayer, I sent emails to all the schools I was interested in and received several replies. By February my back was still hurting every day and when my school ball season started, I could be found cheering in the dugout unable to play. The first week in March, I visited a college that had piqued my interest. The coach who had previously attended one of my tournaments offered me a partial softball scholarship, at the end of the visit and I accepted. This occurred one week before everything was shut down due to COVID. Jeremiah 29:11 says, βFor I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.β God knew that I would be injured through June of my junior year and that I would miss out on camps and tournaments. He also knew COVID would restrict the recruiting process and yet He provided for me. I could not be more thankful for a God who loves me so much, and I am continually reminded that βAll things work together for good,β whether it is turning a major nerve injury into a tremendous blessing to become an ambidextrous pitcher or using a back injury to strengthen my relationship with Christ.
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