Jacob's Humility
Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Athletes are well appreciated in my family. As with the world, my family looks upon athletics as a measure of success. Those who play sports receive quite a bit of attention, so when I was a child, I quickly learned the value of being a star. I was a great basketball player, great volleyball player, great runner...there was hardly a sport I would try that I did not excel at. Naturally, then, I expected my son to also be a fine athlete...and for him to be as proud of himself as I am of myself.
Jacob, though, was surprisingly uncoordinated as a young child. This was in part due to his ambidexterity...he couldn't decide which hand to throw with or bat with, which foot to kick a soccer ball with. I confess it was difficult waiting out those developmental years. I was impatient to see his athletic star rise!
Jacob is 12 now, and his athletic abilities seem to have just exploded this year. Jim calls him "deceptively fast"...his frame is long and lanky, and he doesn't appear to be moving when he runs. He has long legs and big, slow strides. But he is very, very fast. And strong. He has finally learned how to put moves on kids on the soccer field, and has become quite the strategist. No, his plan doesn't always work out, but he's thinking.
After a soccer game where Jacob had scored 3 goals, I, the beaming parent, offered him much praise on the drive home.
"Jacob, you played great! I'm so proud of you! I bet Coach Ted is really proud of you."
Jacob replied, "Why should he be? I learned everything from him. He's been teaching me for years."
I was a little taken aback. "Are you saying he should be proud of himself, then?"
Jacob's answer was short and simple, "Yes." His tone was humble. He did not boast, did not brag. He gave credit to his coach and never said another word about the game. Perfect humility.
This was my proudest moment yet.
Athletes are well appreciated in my family. As with the world, my family looks upon athletics as a measure of success. Those who play sports receive quite a bit of attention, so when I was a child, I quickly learned the value of being a star. I was a great basketball player, great volleyball player, great runner...there was hardly a sport I would try that I did not excel at. Naturally, then, I expected my son to also be a fine athlete...and for him to be as proud of himself as I am of myself.
Jacob, though, was surprisingly uncoordinated as a young child. This was in part due to his ambidexterity...he couldn't decide which hand to throw with or bat with, which foot to kick a soccer ball with. I confess it was difficult waiting out those developmental years. I was impatient to see his athletic star rise!
Jacob is 12 now, and his athletic abilities seem to have just exploded this year. Jim calls him "deceptively fast"...his frame is long and lanky, and he doesn't appear to be moving when he runs. He has long legs and big, slow strides. But he is very, very fast. And strong. He has finally learned how to put moves on kids on the soccer field, and has become quite the strategist. No, his plan doesn't always work out, but he's thinking.
After a soccer game where Jacob had scored 3 goals, I, the beaming parent, offered him much praise on the drive home.
"Jacob, you played great! I'm so proud of you! I bet Coach Ted is really proud of you."
Jacob replied, "Why should he be? I learned everything from him. He's been teaching me for years."
I was a little taken aback. "Are you saying he should be proud of himself, then?"
Jacob's answer was short and simple, "Yes." His tone was humble. He did not boast, did not brag. He gave credit to his coach and never said another word about the game. Perfect humility.
This was my proudest moment yet.
posted by Ree @ 3:27 PM
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