Friday, May 21, 2010

Takin' Care of Business


It's sport season. This year Ben is playing traveling baseball. Which involves no suitcases, buses, or plane tickets, but mainly a few neighboring communities and a lot more games. This year Bethany decided to switch from softball back to soccer. And of course, Ben has games scheduled on almost all of the nights Bethany does, and then some. So now, we are THAT family. Eating on the run and heading in different directions. Figuring out which commitments NOT to keep because they overlap each other. But hey. That's the season we're in. Not just the season of the year, but the season of life. FULL of life.

It's a time of testing. Testing priorities. Testing passion. Testing patience. Can we take a schedule that normally gets worship and church activities filled in first, and instead build it around the sports schedule, without abandoning our first love? Can our kids learn to live within the rules of the game, and under the authority of officials who may or may not make the right call? Can their parents find the right words at the right moments to encourage them to be strong when emotions are high?

We will soon find out.

One thing truly encourages me. God gave us some very strong and determined kids. He made them purposefully this way. I can't imagine any better place for a determined somebody to learn to bring it under control than in a sport they love which requires it. Watching them play their hearts out is a truly beautiful thing.

Parental patience? Not sure yet. Parental prayer? Absolutely.

4 comments:

Givinya De Elba said...

I'm excited for you - sounds busy and fun! I pray it all works out for you and Ben and Bethany's sports fill your family with joy and fun!

Melissa B. said...

My girls had to start "choosing" when they hit middle school. Just a little bit too much of rushing here and there. Have fun at those games, though. I kinda miss that part of my life...

StitchinByTheLake said...

I remember those days...with some fondness actually. :) blessings, marlene

Joy said...

I missed this one in my reader some how.
I hope they got you a nice cushion to use as you sit on the bleachers mom.
This is definitely the season and I know you are enjoying watching them grow and play.
I have friends that have kids on travelling teams and they do travel. The whole family revolves around that kids travel schedule. I'm thinking...he's 8 years old...do you really need to drive all the way to San Antonio for him to play baseball. But what do I know. Keith's cousin fly's with her girls all over the country for them to play volleyball. The competitive nature of all these sports seems to have kicked up a notch since I was a kid.
I'm glad Ben's games are in town for you all. Bethany is dazzling in her lime green uniform. I just love it! Go Ben and Bethany!
♥ Joy