As many know, we are a sports-lovin family. Football and *basketball* keep our hearts pumping. Whenever said season rolls around and our children start practicing we dive right in. No holds barred for us. Our schedule consists of school, homework, practice, games, church on the weekend, and then we do it all over again the following week. As chaotic as it gets we live for these seasons.
So you can imagine how disappointing it is to finish off a season with a losing record. My boys, along with all the others on our teams, played so hard. Ethan and Christian never missed a practice and always gave it their best effort. We've played through sickness (Mom of the year award goes to...); we've played through injuries; we've played through extremely hot practices that have resulted in vomiting. Gross. I know. My boys...gave it their all.
It was so hard seeing the disappointment on their little faces as they stared at the scoreboard that rarely showed the numbers in their favor. Thankfully, it did give Mike and I several teachable moments. We were able to talk to our boys about commitment, attitude and perseverance. Perseverance. That is a difficult life lesson to learn, but it's necessary if you want to succeed. There were many evenings we focused on the events of the games and the challenges they faced. In truth, there were times they lost heart and became discouraged, but by the end of the season they understood that perseverance IS commitment, hard work, patience and endurance. Perseverance is trying again and again and again. Losing is tough, but you have to be able to take the tough losses in order to experience the elation that comes with victories.
Such is true in every avenue of life.
As heart wrenching as it was to see the disappointment on those little faces, I am so thankful for moments in which I can teach my children lessons they can take with them forever. I believe in them. To my core, I believe in them. Whether you're talking about sports, school, jobs, raising children or your walk with Christ, the bottom line still stands; you must continue on your course with a purpose in spite of the difficulties and obstacles that will inevitably be placed before you. That is what we are called to do.
Thank you God for teachable moments.
Here's Christian after his very first touchdown of the season.
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Taking a breather with his teammates.
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Mr. Man checking the plays.
Get outta my way!
Christian Joseph
As Captain, you need to shake hands with your opponents before the game.
Too quick to catch!
Ethan Michael
Ethan has a mean take down.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14
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