Above the drama...

Can you imagine with all of the heartache in the world, with real societal issues where there are kids in the balance of life and death each day...parents would get so worked up about SOCCER?

My son loves soccer. He is good at soccer. His desire is to become the best he can and maybe someday even benefit from a soccer scholarship. His dream? Of course to play Major League Soccer someday. Will this happen? Who knows. His life is in God's hands and my first priority is to teach him that. His decisions in life will hopefully be guided by listening to the spirit. Knowing that, would I allow petty jealousies and complaining manipulators sway my feeling about soccer or his coach or his being involved? Certainly not. Um....it's soccer. As parents we have a choice to be above the drama. To teach our kids that you know what...there are some people who make poor choices. They choose to be hurtful, unforgiving, harbor anger in their hearts, and gossip about others. We can rise above that.

Since joining select soccer I have had opportunity to meet wonderful parents who love their kids and are excited to see them succeed. I have also seen the other side. Parents who are so cut throat they lose sight of what's important. Also parents who take personal differences and instead of keeping them private-involve a whole team! Bizarre. I know that we all have our downfalls and that we all make mistakes, but setting out to purposely hurt someone is simply wrong. There's no cookie cutter way to make it sound right. The bible says in Colossians 3:12-14,
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

In soccer lessons can be taught. Behavior on the field can show your child that you can't judge by the outside, God looks on the heart. Unfair calls can show your child that things aren't always fair, but that doesn't mean anyone is out to get you. The fruit of the spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness...they can be taught and shown and displayed. But soccer, is not worth destroying relationships. Is not worth bringing pain to someone.

It's soccer.