This morning a very crazy thing happened in our home! Our two-year-old son knocked over the TV in the living room. We heard the crash and came running. For him, this is the second television ruined in a little over 2 months. After the explosion of physical damage and emotional tension, we all (more me) came to our senses.
First though––Priorities…
- The little guy is okay. He definitely has a knack for destroying TV’s.
- I apologized for my burst of passionate intensity to my family.
- We are giving up on TV in the living room!
After all the mayhem ended, I sat on the edge of my bed and cried. I know, big Dan crying over a TV. Well, not exactly…you see my 12-year-old came upstairs and gave us $18, folded in a note that read, “From now on, please take $18 of my $20 allowance for the replacement of the TV. I would like to still get the $2 to give to Jesus for tithes and missionaries!”
I realized the very thing that caused an immense amount of frustration and tension in my mind and heart, was the very thing that brought the very best out of my 12-year-old son. He was playing to his strengths, I was letting emotions and the situation get the best of me, thus…playing to my weakness. Most people would expect me to put on the coaches hat right here, sorry to let you down. Too easy, and this quite frankly is a lesson way more important than hitting a curve ball. My son has graduated to the Big Leagues, having never swung a 34 oz bat! The important part to him, the heart of the matter, was he was willing to give what it took to get a new TV, but not at the expense of neglecting what is important to Christ!
The Bible says in Matt. 6:25-34…
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[e] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
So Dan Lewiston, stop worrying and getting all frustrated about the things that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. Keep your eyes on the Provider of all things, and really, the things that are most important!
Isaiah, son taught the father today! The strength of the wolf is not the individual wolf. In other words, it is not about me, the ball games, the news, the presidential debates. The strength of a wolf is the pack! What we do and have done as a family! The life lessons that we learn together. The ball games we play. The trips we take and the walks we have together! Thank you for “Playing to your Strength!”
In closing, I dedicate this to my #1 Son, who is my #2! (Inside thing between us!) And I promise that I will take and heed the words of Joshua more often and more passionately than ever. We will keep “Playing to our Strength”…
Joshua 24:15 (NLT), “…as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
P.S. And for the little one in the house, you are not allowed to come within a 100 yards of any TV – EVER – ANYWHERE, I simply can’t afford this! Love You Sport!