I would be lying if I said that sports are not important to me.
I'm a super competitive person, and both basketball and softball/baseball are connected to some of my most profound and enjoyable adolescent memories.
Both of these sports also taught me important things about life.
About teamwork and depending on others.
And not just depending on others, but being there for others, and fulfilling my role, as well.
And about not giving up.
Never giving up.
No quitting allowed.
Sports are important to me because of the lessons they have taught me.
My boys love sports.
Both of them.
Jaxon was born with a pretty spectacular natural athletic ability.
He's a natural at every sport that he tries.
He has amazed his dad and I from day one.
There's a possibility that athleticism doesn't come as naturally to Knox,
but his sports brain is amazingly remarkable.
Seriously, I'm not just saying that.
If you don't believe me, just talk to him for a few minutes.
He has a mind for numbers.
He remembers statistics like it's nobody's business.
Statistics, scores, numbers- that's his game.
I love that they love sports.
But chances are, neither of them will be a professional athlete when they grow up.
They may not ever even play college sports.
Honestly, I guess there is a chance that they won't even play in high school (even though I really hope that they do.)
And even as much as I love sports, that's perfectly okay with me.
I love watching them play.
And I love to watch them smile and have fun.
It makes me smile and it makes my heart swell with pride.
But more than anything else, I just want them to love Jesus.
If they never pick up another bat and ball,
if they never shoot another free throw,
or catch or throw another touchdown pass,
I just want them to love Jesus.
I love to watch them play.
But even more than that, I love to hear them pray.
More than anything else, I just want them to love Jesus.
If they continue to play sports as they grow up,
and if their little sister chooses to follow in her brother's footsteps,
and in her Momma and Daddy's footsteps
(Dear Lord Jesus, please don't let her want to be a cheerleader),
then I pray that they have so much fun.
So much fun...
I pray that they make memories that they will look back and smile on for the rest of their lives.
I pray that they will learn from winning and learn from losing.
I pray that they will find friendships as dear as some of the friendships that I've made because of sports.
I pray that they'll win a championship someday, because the thrill of that is something that still gives me chills to think about.
But I also hope that they'll lose a big game, because the biggest lessons often come through loss.
I pray that they'll have good attitudes.
I pray that their coaches will remember them as some of the most coachable players that they ever coached.
I pray that parents in the stands and that referees and umpires will look at them and say, "that boy is a good ball player- but he's an even better kid."
Boys,
have fun.
throw and hit hard.
run fast.
make the big shots and be in the middle of all the hustle plays.
play tough defense.
be coachable.
be a team player.
But more than anything else... love Jesus.
Just love Jesus.
