Guest Post by Wendy Hinman
Sports are faster than life. A three-month season is an epic journey of victories and losses, and ultimate growth. Through practice and play there are more teaching opportunities per minute in a sporting arena than nearly any other venue. . . . if framed properly.
--Christopher M. Schrader, PhD
Beyond A Whistle And A Prayer
The Cooper twins
always struck out. They batted 8th and 9th in the order,
and here it was the Carlsbad Youth Baseball World Series with two on and two
out in the bottom of the 9th and the Cooper twins were up. Josh, the
coach’s son, was on third and Jordan, a speedster, was on first.
If the first Cooper impossibly got a hit, the other would surely strike out. First pitch: he swings at a pitch in the dirt. Josh couldn’t take it. Miraculously the next pitch was a ball. On the next wind-up Josh takes off for home while his dad—coaching at third—just about has apoplexy that his son is stealing without getting a signal. Jordan sees what Josh is doing and takes off for second. The catcher is rattled and bobbles the ball. Josh slides safe and the catcher overthrows to third while Jordan rounds the base in full sprint. The stands erupt as defeated fans could feel the rising victory.
When the brick dust settles Josh is beaming, Jordan is dancing and the Cooper twins are just incredibly relieved. On the ride to the end-of-season party Josh’s dad doesn’t know whether to admonish his son for not obeying the signal or praise him for thinking so fast. The Coopers' mom doesn’t know whether to talk about unexpected help or just be quiet.
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We sense these opportunities intuitively as
parents when our child starts playing organized soccer or makes the surf team.
We just don’t always know how to harness the teachable moments coming at us. They
all seem to mean something, but it’s hard to process before the next pitch.
Not only do we jump and exult when our child makes an interception or groan when they don’t make that save, we do it collectively with other parents in the stands. We share sunscreen, umbrellas, and carpools together right alongside laughter and tears. We connect deeply and then drive home with exuberant or anguished kids.
If we take the time to hit the slow-mo button on one season of sport we can use these opportunities to intentionally disciple our children or reach out to our bleacher neighbors. But we do have to stop, think and pray before we can turn from being focused on ourselves, our child—who we can often look at as a mere extension of ourselves—and our team.
It is a Biblical principle that the natural comes first and then the spiritual. If we don’t purposely have a strategy we can harm our children more than help. And worse, we can be that angry parent in the bleachers. The natural anger, ego and envy in us will come out. With awareness and strategy, however, we can demonstrate and inculcate the spiritual fruit of peace, kindness and self-control.
On Friday night, September 11, from 6:30-8:30pm in the Family Center, the Sports Ministry of NCCC will bring parents together to stop, think, and strategize how to disciple our children in a season of sport and how to be the light of Christ in the bleachers. Sports is faster than life.
Sign up for this free event at
www.wholelifesports.org
