T-ball

Have you ever watched a group of five and six year olds play t-ball? What a blast! On the way to our first ever “real” game, Twin B. commented, “T-ball is sure tricky, and I’m kind of bad at catching. But tonight’s the big night!”

Twin A. nervously agreed, “We just have to have fun and be a good sport,” he added. He likes to do things well right off the bat, so T-ball is challenging him in a good way. It will take time, practice and perseverance to learn to play well.

The game itself was hilarious. What the kids lacked in skill they made up in enthusiasm. Never mind that the coach had to tell them where to stand and what to do and where to run. “First base! Run to first base,” he would shout to the batter, pointing him in the right direction after he hit the ball. Those kids had a good time. (Well, except for the one boy who just sat down in the middle of the field. I don’t think he was having much fun.)

Our community places great value on giving kids these opportunities, and I do too, but it got me thinking: do I give my kids a variety of opportunities to serve God? I signed them up for t-ball and soccer and swimming, hoping to find a sport they’re each good at. How can I also give them opportunites to serve God and others? To find their niche in God’s kingdom?

Lately I’ve been feeling discouraged by my “just-a-Mom” status. But yesterday, Twin A. was wandering through the house singing “Walk, walk, walk with God, walking in God’s way. I can learn to do what’s right, every single day!” And it hit me again—the awesome responsibility of raising these boys. There will be plenty of time for a “real job” down the road. For today, I’m shaping and molding little lives to be good neighbors, to love Jesus, and to serve Him with all they’ve got.