Facing Down Cancer, Pro Baseball Player and His Wife Celebrate New Miracle Baby

By Josh M. Shepherd, CP Op-Ed Contributor Friday, January 08, 2016

Benjamin Edwards | (Photo Courtesy of Edwards Family / NHance Photography)

Jon Edwards: Early on, when we first found out that Katelyn was pregnant, I felt the Lord speak to my heart that it was a boy. I had the strong sense that Benjamin will be called to minister to people; I don't know what shape or form that will take.

I feel he's going to have a big impact. Our pastor often talks about "the Benjamin generation" being a company of young people who live out the grace of Jesus Christ in our day; I believe our son is going to be a big part of that.

Bound4LIFE: Jon, both Major League teams you've pitched for have faced a lot of upheaval, with the Padres having named a new manager post-season. How do you handle transition — in your own life, and in the clubhouse with teammates?

Jon Edwards: This year, the Lord taught me a lot about being where my feet are at — taking it one day at a time, and not getting ahead of Him trying to make plans of my own. Trusting Him with each day is how I handle changes. Even when we were traded mid-season and moved across the country, we could rest in that.

Part of being a leader is walking it out with my teammates, verbally sharing that encouragement. When people ask, What's different about that guy? then you get opportunities to share, "I trust in the Lord, I know He is faithful and He is for us."

We have a brand new manager in San Diego who I'm extremely excited about. I just had my first phone conversation with him; most of it we spent talking about God, which is an incredible thing to me.

God is doing awesome stuff, allowing me to play for a solid Christian leader who loves the Lord, loves playing the game of baseball and wants to glorify our Creator. When we rest in the Lord and put it in His hands, He brings it all together.

Bound4LIFE: As now a family of three, does the Christmas season feel any different?

Jon Edwards: With our son Benjamin, we experience a love we've never experienced before; every time I see him, it makes my face light up.

The other day we were sharing how, because of those strong bonds, it's easy for the enemy to have a heyday with parents — bringing us to a place of worry or fear about our children. I remember the Lord telling me clearly: Jesus was the only baby born to die. It speaks of His protection over Benjamin, and over every child.

Katelyn Edwards: We can trust the Lord with our kids: that He's protecting them, He is for them, they are filled with His life — with health and peace, because of His birth.

We have a whole new perspective on the very gift of what Christmas is, the gift of how Jesus came to die for us and give us new life. To see how our Heavenly Father would give up His only Son for us … what an incredible gift that is.

After 10 years in communications/marketing at The Heritage Foundation and Focus on the Family, Josh M. Shepherd serves as Communications Manager at Bound4LIFE. He earned a degree in Business Marketing from the University of Colorado. Passionate about the next generation knowing the Father heart of God, Josh's highest earthly honor is being husband to his lovely wife Terri.