Yesterday was an interesting day. It was the first day of a new spring season of youth sports. Joel (11) is playing soccer and Jason (9) and Jon (7) are on the same flag football team. It was different because for the first time, the two younger boys are playing on the same team instead of the two older boys. The soccer game was in the morning - Joel's team got beat 4-1, but Joel enjoyed it immensely. I don't think he even noticed that they lost. He just enjoyed playing.
The football game was later in the day. Again, our team didn't win the day, and again, the boys seemed much more interested in the snacks at the end of the game than the score. They had a great time, even though it was getting dark and the game was cut short.
After the football game, we went to the church for the father-son sports banquet. This was a great event with lots of dads and sons attending. It made my day even more connected because the two guys that had coached my boys earlier in the day were the two guys that organized the event.
Now both these guys Bob Ruggeri (soccer) and Chris Tillman (football) are great guys who love the Lord and love the kids they coach. Bob did all the cooking for the banquet and put together an awesome sports highlight and blooper video that my boys just loved. (I can still hear Jason cackling and hooting with laughter watching the football fumble clips!)
Chris introduced the speaker and pointed out that he had already had a long day - coaching three different football teams.
As I sat there I was reminded that parenting is very much like coaching - you drill and practice and motivate and encourage, but at some point, you have to send the kid onto the field to play the game.
Parenting is so much like that - it is filled with long difficult days and self-doubts as you send the kids in to "play the game" - or to live their lives. But you never quit, never stop coaching, and never stop the love and encouragement from the sidelines. Thanks to Bob and Chris for helping me learn such a valuable lesson.
Here's what the Bible says about sports: (or at least one verse!)
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8
2 comments:
Jim,
Wow, your first comment! I just had to leave you one! Steve and I really appreciate your "A day of sports" story, we can relate to it very well. And we also appreciate the verse you had at the end. We are looking forward to more from "Clayblog"!!
Gretchen and Steve
This is a great idea and I'm looking forward to more of your blogs! What an excellent idea and way to keep in touch. We're really looking forward to the rest of your class.
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