Lexington’s Cogdell shows faith in pregame routine

Displays of faith are all over. Other people might not recognize what they are, but that is not always the purpose.

Athletes utilize different parts of a pregame routine to make sure they are focused on the opponent at hand, but they also use those routines to make sure they are focused on God.

For Lexington softball pitcher Natalie Cogdell, the pregame is the time to make sure her mind is right.

“Before every softball game, after I have warmed up, I will take a knee, draw a cross in the dirt and say a prayer for myself and my teammates that God will be with us,” Cogdell said. “If I am struggling, I will pray through pitches. I try not to get worked up about things because I know God has my back.”

Cogdell, a junior, helped lead the Lady Tigers to the Class AA state title game last season with half the pitching duties.

Lexington’s Meyer tries to put God in everyday life

She feels God hears her prayers and knows when she needs to be comforted.

“When my Granny Fay died, it was pretty sudden,” Cogdell said. “I felt God wrap his arms around me. Nothing like that had ever happened before to me.”

God has deep meaning for Cogdell in her life, and she tries to draw closer to him every chance she gets.

“God is who I center my life around and what I base every decision off of,” she said. “I pray every morning during our moment of silence at school, and every evening, I do a daily devotional.”

One story that Cogdell enjoys reading in the Bible is the story of the Prodigal Son.

“It shows that no matter that we do, we can go back to the Father,” she said.

By choosing to base her decisions on God, Cogdell tries to also share God’s love through simple actions throughout the day.

“I try being nice to others,” Cogdell said. “I always try to show a smile and tell people that God loves them. I try to make sure they feel welcomed and loved.”

Cogdell attends Sandridge Baptist Church, and she teaches a small group on Wednesday nights in the youth room and also teaches classes during Vacation Bible School.

FAITH: Local mission trips have helped Rickman grow

She was saved on Dec. 2, 2009, and she remembers that night vividly.

“I was in Pioneer Club, and my parents had preached that I should be saved,” Cogdell said. “But I never felt the tug on my heart like I should have. In class that night, they asked if anyone wanted to be saved. I raised my hand, and I felt an immediate change because of that decision.”

Michael Odom, 425-9754

Natalie Cogdell’s favorite verse

Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.