Thursday, February 03, 2011

Coaching

I stumbled upon this photo tonight on my computer while I was looking for something else.

It was actually taken last January at one of P's basketball practices. There was coaching going on at the time, but I seem to recall that it had very little to do with basketball and a lot more to do with life.

When I glanced at this photo tonight it seemed to sum up how I feel about parenting right now...on my knees, in their faces, partnered with my husband, lovingly, seriously and firmly coaching my offspring.

I am tired, but I have lived long enough to know that athletes don't get to be champions without feedback, direction, strength-training, correction and coaching. The same is true in this race of life.

God gave kids parents. We have a responsibility to be good stewards of the role he has entrusted to us. It is not always glamorous, we may feel like we lose more than we win. There is sweat, tears and hard work involved.

Sometimes we are on the sidelines cheering, other times we are practicing and training. None of these roles are more important than the other. All are necessary and done with a heart full of love.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you. This is exactly what I needed today. :)

Mindy said...

God sent me to your blog to read this reminder tonight. Seriously. My post tonight was about what a rough time I have had today with my kids.....even being told by one of them that she thinks sometimes that I hate her.....ROUGH day.
THanks for the reminder!

Deidre said...

I've been reminding myself this a lot lately - that God entrusted me with my children and I have to answer to Him for how I parent. That means handling the tough stuff at times and not being able to be the friend most days. Satan would try to guilt me into believing I'm hurting my children, but God confirms in His Word I love them even more.

I love this post.

Jawan said...

What I want to know is.....WHO TOOK THAT PHOTO and then shared it with you?!?!?! What a friend! HA!

Jennifer said...

Jawan, it was my father in law. :-)

Deidre, Mindy and Emily Ann, it is good to be reminded that we are all in this together!

Gordy said...

I love this post, how true it is that we have been entrusted (love that word) with our children. I am the mom to teenagers and face this struggle everyday, with lots of prayers said for them and me. Wonderfully said~ Lesli

elizabeth said...

So true. I am right there with you. Love the picture and the meaning behind it.

Ling! said...

WOW what a cool picture! And post! :)

Amy Beth @ Ministry So Fabulous! said...

I absolutely LOVE this picture of you!

k and c's mom said...

What a sacred moment captured on film. God has made us so fiercely protective and loving of our children during their "upbringing". I could have guessed the entire story from the photograph. Keep this picture before you in times ahead. Well done...

Anonymous said...

This is one precious LIFE picture!!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I am in the midst of journaling about my 31 day commitment to pray fervently for my children. THis picture so so so goes along with my heart as a mom. I LOVE reading your heart as a mom. THank you!

Anne said...

love this picture..you are such a great mom!