I love basketball. I
mean deeply love it. Something about the
feel of the court under my feet, sound of squeaky shoes and the vision of a ten
foot goal sends joy through every fiber of my being. Still, at my age, I enjoy a good ole game of
hoops! I am no Michael Jordan, but can
dribble well and shoot decent. Playing
basketball brings memories to the forefront of when life was normal. My family still lived together; I was a part
of a team, had friends and did not play the comparison game with others. You know that game. . .the one where everyone
else is better, prettier, more popular and greater than you in some way. The only game I played was basketball! Life was great!
Now seeing my children develop the skills required to play
the great game of basketball, I wish the same life for them. I want them to experience the joy, be part of
a team, enjoy friends and hold on to a skill to feel worth. Oh, how easy it becomes for parents to live vicariously
through their children. Whether it be
career, sports, organizations, religion, etc.; parents often fall into a trap
of pushing children to do/perform/work just as they did to receive the joy,
pride and life they experienced. Well,
it does not always work out as such.
My children may not like basketball one bit and for me that
needs to be okay. No two persons are the
same; therefore, likes/dislikes vary amongst people. Pushing children to be like us does just
that, pushes. It pushes them away,
pushes them to reach perfection in order to bring the parent pride and it
pushes them to find worth in worldly activities or accomplishments. “Am I now trying to win the approval of human
beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to
please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10) How is pushing our kids helping them find self-worth
or joy?
Sadly, it is NOT helping them. I am guilty myself. One week my daughter did not want to go to
basketball camp and I felt disappointment.
I had to remind myself that she is not me and is developing a character
based on who God created her to be. Joy
does not come in worldly forms. “For
though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons
of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension
that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every
thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 10:3-5)
31 years passed and I now realize the world is not perfect,
people disappoint, activities fail, hatred dwells and perfection cannot be
reached. Thankfully, we live IN this world
but are not OF this world. God created
us to be like Him, work diligently to build His Kingdom and return safely to
His arms in Heaven (our true Home).
Thankfully, though storms rage around us, God already won the
battle. He overcame evil and washed all
sin clean by giving His only Son to die for you and for me.
I realize now joy comes from another source than daily
activities or accomplishments. Joy comes
from knowing who we are in Christ and living by guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are to teach the next generation to seek
joy in the right place. Teach them to
find worth in the One who never disappoints, never leaves and never rejects. He offers an indescribable prize none can
fathom. Keeping our eyes on the prize
will bring daily joy. Something about
the feel of freedom as you walk down the straight path, sound of praise given
daily to God and the vision of His presence in your situation will send joy
through every fiber of your being. That
is the true, lasting joy that I pray my children can feel. Again, I cannot push them or make them have
this; but, I can guide, teach and provide the example so they can come to know
this joy. Whatever they choose to do in
life is up to them and I pray they reach to God for guidance with each
decision.
The greatest gift I can provide as a parent in decision
making is prayer; prayer for strength, discernment and confidence. For I know the plans God created for my
children include hope and prosperity.
His Promises always ring true. My
children will not need to recall a memorable time in life to feel joyous; yet,
will feel the daily joy of living in Christ.
Let us do the same!
Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig
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