The Reason for the Season

We have finished another great season of baseball and softball. I just love watching my kids play ball. Both of them love the game and it shows. My son considers the field one of his homes, as he told me this year. He has been going there for  7 years and has some of his best memories there. Both kids had great seasons, for different reasons. A great season to me is not because we won many games or because my kid had an amazing season. A great season for me comes with highs and lows. The lows sometimes make for a better season of development and character building. I truly believe that being on a team, and a part of sports is one of the best places for kids to get real life lessons, develop character and truly get a chance to grow into amazing human beings…..IF we guide them, teach them and show them.

This season was great for my kids because….

New friendships were made.

The sting of a loss gave us a chance to rise up and congratulate others on their success.

When we see arrogance, we are reminded to be humble.

When we experience poor sports, we are reminded to be a good sport, win or lose.

We are constantly reminded to treat others how we want to be treated. We have to step up and remember how God wants us to treat others.

We struggled on the field, which reminded us how important hard work off the field is.

When calls didn’t go our way, this became a chance for us to work on keeping our head up and truly practicing moving on….because THIS is truly life.

We actually had minor injuries which reminded us how important it is to take care of ourselves.

We had fun, even when we lost, which helped us truly enjoy the game.

As always, we are reminded that there is no “I” in team.

We made mistakes, and remembered to move on and never give up on giving it our all.

We made mistakes, which taught us to encourage others through their mistakes as well.

We watched our sibling win her second championship, and we truly supported her and we were excited for her, even though we have never experienced a championship.

These lessons and more helped shape my kids into better human beings, I feel. We have to take these moments and acknowledge them for our kids to always see them and what they can get from them. This is our job. The older kids get, sometimes this gets harder, especially if we don’t take time with our kids outside of the field to talk. It is tough. Our job is tough. We can not give up. It could all go a different way if we don’t take time to talk through these situations. Kids want to talk about it. They need to talk about it. They just don’t always understand how to.

My favorite verse for all of us tired parents out there is Galatians 6:9. Keep at it. Keep trying. Do not grow weary as our kids get older. Yes, they need independence, but they need guidance more now than ever before. Do not let go because they are pulling away. Do not let them be more concerned with fitting in and being cool, than doing what is right and Christ like. Most times it is easier and more comfortable to follow the crowd, be cool and fit in, than to remember what is right and how we treat everyone, regardless of who they are. Teach them otherwise. Teach them how to be a good sport, cheer for everyone, treat everyone with respect and always do their best with humility and confidence, not arrogance.

For all of us parents….do not give up. Keep parenting. Rest and keep at it. Our children need us.

[blockquote size=”full” align=”left” rating=”0|1|2|3|4|5″]”Let us not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ” Galatians 6:9[/blockquote]