Faith in God’s Plan ‘Will Never Fail You,’ Says Victorious Braves Shortstop

Writing in a prayer journal nightly also has played a key role in Swanson’s faith life. “Just because [something] doesn’t happen right away doesn’t mean it won’t happen at some time, or won’t be answered in a certain way,” he says. “God rewards people with persistent faith, and every day you just kind of want to hammer away at it a little bit by little bit. And you start to see all of a sudden, wow, this is how he really answered it.”

Swanson also is learning to trust God’s timing, which is essential in a career that involves so many ups and downs, including trades. In 2015, he was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who soon traded him to the Braves. “At the time, I didn’t really understand it,” he says. “But God’s always got a plan. And if I’ve learned one thing, it’s having faith in that plan will never fail you.”

The trade to his hometown turned out to be “one of the best things that’s ever happened to me,” he says. “I can’t even put into words how much this [World Series victory] means.”