Sacrifice Bunt

Star Date 07.14.25

Someone famous once said, “There’s no crying in baseball.” Too bad that line doesn’t translate to life. When a life is lived fully, I believe there are plenty of tears.

I’m blessed to be surrounded by heroes—quiet ones—who lift me up when I need it most. They’re not swinging for the fences with grand slams or walk-off home runs. No, their strength looks different.

It looks like a sacrifice bunt.

The sacrifice bunt offers no personal glory. The one laying it down often doesn’t even reach first base. But that small, selfless act advances others who are trying to find their way home.

In the story of humanity, one woman stands above all in the art of self-sacrifice. She has a football play named after her—a play called when the clock is ticking down and hope is fading fast. It’s the Hail Mary.

Mary never played baseball or football. She was too busy raising the Son of God. But I imagine her whole life was a series of sacrifice bunts. She never sought the spotlight. She simply said yes to God and gave everything she had.

Just think about how many people, over the centuries, have called on her when they were trying to find their way home.

Who would you want stepping up to the plate when the game is on the line?

I thought about Mary while writing the blog a couple of days ago about the powers and principalities. Those dark forces know who Mary is—and they fear her. Why? Because she’s the queen of the sacrifice bunt.

She crushes the serpent underfoot.

If you were lucky enough to ask her about that power, I imagine she’d smile and say, “Go talk to my Son. He taught me everything I know about sacrifice. When He died on the cross, He made a way for you to find home—and live forever. I’m always happy to assist when you call, but He’s the reason you can claim victory when the game is complete.”

Have a great day.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13