The Game of Life ( Dedicated to my son my Hero)

I had gone to a baseball game one night
Much to my tired dismay
But my son declared it a major event
So I weakly decided to stay

I had worked hard through out that day
I was tired and things weren't clear
And when the boys began to play
I half-heartedly gave a cheer

Then the umpire called out " Batter Up "
And the first boy jumped out with glee
Flung his arms up to the watching crowd
And bragged " watch the champion me "

The boy swung hard and missed the ball
" Strike One " I heard them say
And I thought of the stumbles a baby makes
When he starts along his way

The ball came again
And this time the bat gave a twinkling crack
The boy ran to first and I thought of birth
The first mile of life's long track

Another boy, slowly came to the plate
Four balls and he walked to base
The first one moved on to second then
And I thought another step in life's race

He's finished school and on his own
The battles of life to fight
I wonder if his parents led him well
And if he was guided right

As the game progressed he got to third
I heard someone shout " Don't Run "
And it seemed through my weary eye's I saw
By his side a little son

He's married now I then conceived
And I shivered, was it really cold?
For it seemed with each ball they waited out
I saw the boy grow old

Then I heard a roar as the ball was hit
And the boy slid home with a shout
And above the noise I heard the words
" Sorry Son, You're Out!!! "

Oh no! I cried within my heart
He was so near to home
and I caught a fleeting glimpse of death
As the boy left the field alone

Then I turned my eye's to the new boy
Clutching the bat in his hand
As eager and happy as the first had been
To try his luck in the shifting sand

" Strike One" called the umpire once again
And my heart cried " Please Stay There "
" Strike Two " and then a strange event
The boy bent his head in prayer

I sat amazed as the next ball
Sailed far out over the trees
And I watched him trot so gleefully past
All the bases with gentle ease

And when he reached home
All the boy's gathered round
Their arms were opened wide
And as I watched I felt my heart
Swell up with humble pride

Oh Thank You Lord I slightly spoke
For causing me to come this time
For the boy that made it through life with Christ
I saw now was one of Mine !!!