For years, Mike wanted to believe he could handle things on his own. After numerous mistakes and periods of discontent and frustration, he finally realized there was nothing that he could do to make Jesus love him any more or less. Mike realized it had already been done on the cross, and all he had to do was trust in Him.
I come from a baseball family. My great uncle, Culley Rikard, was an outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1940s. He was also a soldier and a hero to Mike growing up. Mike even named his son after him.
Mike’s father, Bob Rikard, was a minor league catcher for over 1,000 games. He was tough as nails and a hero to Mike. The last team he played for was the Durham Bulls, and as a kid, Mike turned down an offer to be the bat boy in the movie Bull Durham.
While he’s worked in baseball for 30 years now, Mikes considers himself to be a basketball junkie and an avid Duke fan. His family has had season tickets since 1974. Mike was a ball boy for the team led by Coach K during the 1984-1986 seasons.
Mike is currently the Boston Red Sox’s vice president of scouting. He has been blessed to be a part of numerous winning teams and organizations. When he was a coach at Wake Forest University in the late 1990s, they won three ACC Championships. Since he was hired by the Boston Red Sox in 2005, Mike’s been a part of three World Series Championships.
Mike says his life gets better and better as he trusts in Jesus’ saving grace and leans on Him for peace and happiness.
Sports teach so many lessons. Baseball constantly reminds us to be humble, obedient, encouraging, and caring for others.
Mike meets new people all the time and embraces the opportunities where he can let people know where his faith comes from.
He and his family attend a great church that is intimately involved in helping others. They do their best to participate in outreach and help those in need.
Even when Mike stumbled in his faith, Jesus has always shown his never-ending love and care.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
Instead of anxiety, humbly and gratefully approach God with whatever is on our minds. Prayer includes thanking God for what He has done and asking for help when we doubt and stumble.
It’s the Christian game plan to reduce anxiety in all areas of life. It does not mean believers will live worry-free lives, nor does it mean additional help won’t be required. It shows that addressing problems in our lives should begin with prayer.
Will you pray as Mike has, repenting of your sins and asking Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior? When you pray to receive Jesus Christ by faith, God’s plan will usher you through death’s door to eternity in God’s presence.