She has the normal aches and pains that any pubescent teen has but she is really only happy when she is in competition. Whether it’s at home with her brother over how much popcorn they each have during movie night..
....or something a little more profound...like which forward she's going to pin to the baseline on the paint.
Hayley is always up for some competition with a happy heart.
Hayley is a refined leader in all ways...
She is a beautiful child of God and endeavors every day to make the right choices and to be kind and just....a solid and well put together soul coming straight out of the heartland....
Her mother and I beam with pride.....routinely.
That being said...
Hayley is still in that...awkward...shy in social settings phase where she is mortified by being embarrassed by her parents. We’ve all been there haven’t we? : ) Part of the joys of having children and once being them ourselves.
Here on this scroll, we are in the midst of a series in which I have spoken about the surrendering of human attributes that you hold dear in order to facilitate the forward and continued thriving of your family as a whole under the command and steering of God’s plan.
As I have said earlier and whereas, the idea here being that it should not be your intent to give up those things that define you as a PERSON. Rather, it’s the Idea that, if called upon, you periodically (or permanently if that’s what The Lord puts on your heart) surrender those things for the good of the family and submit to God’s will.
Traditionally, my friends in undergrad, and some of them in the graduate schools I graduated from….have been and currently are, HUGE sports fans. Specifically, NCAA College Football…..There is RARELY a time when e-mails aren’t slinging back and forth from some of the most high-command positions within my organization here at the DOD or a variety of texts & taunts from the boardroom’s of the private sectors that keep us running seamlessly……. All……FILLED with sports gossip or some sort of competitive natured trash talking going on.
It’s with this in my heart…that I approach the FANTASTICALLY competitive arena’s that are the junior high auditoriums of the South Texas Breadbasket.
In the fall, it is common knowledge…and a family agreement that I will be wearing Hayley’s jersey….and singing her praises both before and after the game.
During the game?......that’s where I want to focus.
When it comes to the art of “Soccer Moming and Dadding” or any derivative used to explain the function of being fully immersed within the extracurricular athletic and academic activities of your child, there is just as much opportunity for parents to “Get it wrong” as there are those moments that we nail and henceforth cherish forever.
As a male…I can only speak to the attributes that compose the “Dad” or “Father” …everyone knows Hayley calls me “Mark”….but we will use, for discussion purposes the word ‘Dad’ as it is widely accepted as representing the head of the household, which I am….and remember…as in previous posts….that only means the title….whereas Angela….my wife, “Arranges our house” …and is called “Mom.” So, as a Dad and provider of the family, I am part of a worldwide fraternity and long tested brotherhood. We are expected to show up, we are expected to make those things seamless which might fall apart if not for the intense attention to detail that only Dad’s can provide.
You carry ALL OF THAT….into the game…ON TOP OF your hopes and dreams for your star athlete….. You carry your past, your titles, your accomplishment, your dignity, your pride and your status……. And people see you…. Here in small-town-America…. it’s not like on the coasts, where the over-populous drowns out even the shiniest of stars….Here in Victoria, when an Aeronautical Engineer and one of the area’s lead and most celebrated educational curriculum designers walk in holding hands ……. Well…. As a humble man of God, let me just say that people LOOK at you…and it is here that you have an OPPORTUNITY to minister and deliver the Word Of The Lord.…..
Trust me…. START OFF holding hands…
.....because Satan is out there in their eyes… and NOTHING in this world craps on his plans…WORSE than a well defined and established family unit that exudes excellence….for the entire event……. Satan/they watch to see how you interact with your surroundings and the people around you…they look to see how you interact with each other….they watch to see pretty much everything right down to how Hayden and I play together during halftime on his ipad …….. you’ll know you did a good job if the ONLY rumor the next day is that “They let their 9 year old drink carbonated beverages” (ß-- lol TRUE STORY!!! <3 )
It has taken me YEARS….to understand how to LISTEN to what God is trying to do in my life when it comes to HIS ‘Teachable Moments’ (AKA Ministerial opportunities). I am by no means finished BUT….in THIS CASE…. Listening involves being present and in the moment; ‘In-It-To-Win-It’ if you will.
Years past, Angela and I have…. Been pretty animated when it comes to rooting and cheering on our Hayley and her team… From the opposing coaches….to the referees….even to the young ladies taking a hard baseline just because “That’s Lavaca” or “Goliad SON!” …..we have…. been pretty selfish in making a notorious place courtside. People have traditionally LOVED IT and we have enjoyed interacting with them. Looking back I realize that it was in those moments that I was out to showcase more of what I HAD DONE… or what ANGELA & I HAD DONE…within the life of this young Texas Star….. not what GOD has done.
I think that it takes time and a rare and elusive process that is impossible to define (difficult sell to someone who engineers industrial processes right down to the hundred thousandths of a fraction) that you must move through and emerge victorious over…to truly be able to LISTEN and be IN THE MOMENT…courtside or any place else. I am absolutely loving this season as Angela & I show God's Grace from the stands and in life.
When I hit my knees…and it’s a lot…I am ABSOLUTELY thankful for the opportunity to have be able to minister to others and be quiet and trembling before The Lord as Angela & I LISTEN. I hope that I can continue to always ALWAYS minister to others an allow others to draw as much strength from our marriage as we draw from theirs.
I haven’t always been “In it to win it” …at Hayley’s games or other places…. But I will always endeavor to turn this favor of The Lord into those quiet, stolen and teachable moments
My Best,
Mark
