Secrets to the Championship

Today, my son’s Nathan’s baseball team had their team party. It was extra exciting this year because they had won the championship. (Go A’s!). Apparently other coaches from the league had been watching our team play near the end of the season, trying to find out the secret behind why the A’s were undefeated. Our coaches, Mike and Scott, shared what they thought had made the difference, adding that they encouraged their own kids to apply the same rules in life.

1) Have fun – For as long as Nathan has played under these coaches, I have never heard them pressure kids to go for the win. Instead they sent the team out with a reminder to enjoy the game.

2) Do your best – Not, do it perfectly every time; not do it like that other player. Do your best. And the coaches could tell the difference.

3) Keep a smile on your face – Whether a player hit a home run or struck out, the coaches encouraged him to have a good attitude.

The best part I think, is that the coaches led by example. They enjoyed the season,
did the best job that they knew how to do, they always sent players back to the dugout with encouraging words, and kept every post-game recap as positive as possible. (“You guys got some great hits. Next game we need to work a little harder on our fielding, but all of you worked hard and played well.”)

Mike was right on target when he pointed out the importance of applying these same guidelines to life. Think about it: when you enjoy what you are doing, you can’t help but do a good job. If you focus on your best instead of perfection, your best will be even better. If you keep a positive attitude, you tend to experience joy whether you win or lose, succeed or discover that you have some things to learn.

We can apply these principles to our spiritual lives too by enjoying God and the path He has us on, doing our best for Him, and letting His joy shine through, regardless of the circumstances.

Which of coaches Mike & Scott’s guidelines do you need to apply more? How has doing your best, having fun, and keeping a smile on your face helped you be more successful? Thank God for being the kind of coach who wants His children to enjoy the lives He has planned for them.

Change

How many of us love change? Not me.

Almost two and a half years ago, I found out I have celiac disease--meaning I can't eat any wheat or gluten. No sandwiches with regular bread. No pizza (unless I go across town to Z Pizza or make it with gluten-free crust). No donuts (unless I buy frozen gluten free). I have to read ingredients really carefully--like wheat is in most canned soups and sauces. I had to totally change my eating habits.

For breakfast I had Corn Chex with a banana. For lunch, I'll probably have some tuna and a salad. I'm thinking about putting hamburgers on the grill for dinner(no bun for me unless I use a gluten free English muffin).

But you know what I'm discovering--even bigger than how to eat gluten free?

It's all in my attitude. Here's my new thinking. I still GET TO HAVE ice cream. As much popcorn as I want. Mounds candy bars--Snickers, too.

I have a choice about my attitude. When I start feeling sorry for myself, it ruins my day and I'm sure I'm not much fun to be with. Here's the thing with change. Sooner or later, it's coming to all of us. Life will go in a direction you didn't plan. Something will come your way that you didn't expect.

Just remember self pity is never a good thing.

Someone somewhere is going through the same thing.

We can use the hard things in life that happen to us to help others.

With love and a Mounds candy bar,

Julie
P.S. Anybody having to go through an unexpected change right now?

Only Because You’re Makin’ Me!

“Nathan, you need to ride in Grandma and Grandpa’s car. I’m riding with Aunt Kristy.”

“But I want to ride with Aunt Kristy,” Nathan whined knowing that Kristy would be making a stop to pick up his cousin Kai on the way back to my parents’ house.

I went into a long explanation about the amount of seatbelts in each car, where the booster seats were, laws about kids sitting in the front seat, and other stuff that made little difference to my six-year-old. All he knew was he wanted to ride with his cousin and I, the meanie mom, was keeping him from it.

We went back and forth for a few minutes.

“Nathan please, we’ve had a really fun day with Grandma and Grandpa. Let’s not ruin it over something silly.” Please God, I sent up a desperate prayer for my precious, funny, but often intense youngest son, speak to Nathan’s heart. Tell him he needs to obey.

Suddenly Nathan got quiet. Kristy’s van came into view—the van that Nathan wanted to ride in.

My shoulders tensed. God, come on. I don’t want to make a scene.

Just as I was preparing another speech and psyching myself up to physically stuff Nathan into his assigned spot, I heard him say . . .

“Okay, fine.”

“Fine what?”

“I’ll do it.” I heard the emotional edge in his voice. This was a tough move for him. “I’ll ride in Grandma’s car.” His volume rose for emphasis. “But only because you’re makin’ me.”

Thank you, God. I’ll take an “Only because I have to.” At least he’s complying.

“Thank you, Nathan. I’m very proud of you.”

“But next time, I’m riding in Kristy’s car no matter what.”

“Well, we’ll see.”

“I really want to ride with Kai.”

“I know.”

“But since you’re MAKIN’ me . . . “ his teeth clenched.

“You made the right decision, Nate. Thank you so much.”

I heard my sister and Dad snickering behind me. My oldest son Christian groaned, as if to say, “I can’t believe I’m related to him.”

At the time Nathan’s response stood as a mark of new maturity. A year ago the battle would have raged on and ended with Nathan enduring consequences and me exhausted. This time he’d done the right thing. He wasn’t happy but he did it without a humiliating scene.

Later I thought more deeply about Nathan’s “Only because you’re makin’ me” comment. How many times do I respond that way?

“Okay, fine, I’ll follow that law. But only because I have to, to avoid going to jail!”

“Okay, God, fine, I’ll be kind to that horrible person. But only because you say I have to.”

I’ll obey but my heart isn’t in it at all. I can’t help wondering, does my obedience count with God when I do it with a bad attitude? Knowing that God looks at the heart leaves me wondering. How can I make obedience more sincere? How can I learn to do those things that please God but don’t necessarily please me, with a joyful heart?

It’s something to think about.

God, help me work on my attitude in obedience, knowing that you see right through to the heart behind my actions.

By the way, the kid in the picture is not Nathan. But he does get that look at times.