Tis the season and the time of life. This past weekend we (my son and I) were preparing to play a very tough and disciplined basketball team from across town. Our “game plan” called for a morning workout the day of the game consisting of dribbling and shooting. Game day arrived and we headed to the gym for our preworkout. What do you know but some buddies were also at the gym. Out the window went the pre game workout and chucking it from the half court ensued. After about 15 minutes I called my son over and asked if he was ready to begin his pregame warmup. He declined. I realized this was my “dad moment” and I am not saying I did the right thing but I consented and watched as for the next half hour he and his buddies shot just about every shot you would never shoot in a game. The positive? They had a blast laughing, wrestling, and just plain being goofy. That afternoon the game began with a flurry. My son hit two floaters in the lane and we were quickly up by four. However, those were the last points he would score the remainder of the half as shot after shot clanged off the rim and we fell further and further behind. Several of the boys were actually crying after the game when it was all said and done. We had no problem facing this team before, what was different this time? Simply put I believe it was largely in part because we had not followed the game plan.
Now in the big scheme of things did I really care? No, more often than not we as a society seem to be pushing our children to grow up to quickly versus allowing them to enjoy being kids. I share the story because suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? Or how about a King who finds himself about to go to war. Won’t he first sit down and consider the costs both monetarily and lives on the line before going to war, while there is still time to negotiate? Doesn’t a teacher put together lesson plans before the students arrive after a summer of play? So how about being intentional in making plans for our sons and families as dad?
One of my favorite memories from my childhood is my dad reading the Christmas story each Sunday night in December. We would light a candle after dinner and sit around the table as he would read. It was a change of pace and there was something Very cool about it. It wasn’t long but Very memorable. As I look back I think I enjoyed it so much because it was led… by my dad.
