From the Stands

Imagine you are eight years old again, with knobby knees and elbows and dealing with life head on.  Imagine yourself on the ball court, using all your concentration on keeping a good control of the ball while dribbling down the court, not to mention looking up once in awhile to view your path.

 

We watched Connor play basketball on Saturday and it was so much fun watching the boys play.  They are really understanding the complex concepts of basketball.  In fact, I was told by Connor that I don't know much about basketball because I haven't played for such a long time and he knows more because he is playing . . .  it all happened because of a discussion on "jumpball."

 With that conversation, I guess you can say that Connor has great confidence in himself!

Yet, there are a lot of things for him to learn.

There's a lot for all the boys to learn.  Like look up and find an open player to pass to, rebound, get your hands up, keep an eye on the ball and your man, and don't take the outside shots, etc.

Funny how we parents are up in the stands shouting, pass it to so-n-so, he's open.  Parents are standing up and pointing to the open guy in the lane with such vigor.  I had to chuckle because we see SO much more than what they see on the court!

They think simple concepts, using their new skills, do their one play they know either on the right or the left side.  They know to shoot the ball when they are in the lane (which was a concept that Connor learned because he used to dribble in the lane).  Once in awhile you find a kid that really "gets" it and make a mental note to seek him out when the boys are in High School because he's going to be a star.... but on average they are all learning.

I think we can be in the same situation as the kids when we are fully in our game of life.  Using our new skills, placing comfort in our old habits.  Having a hard time looking for that open man (or opportunity, a change, a challenge) because we are concentrating too hard. AND the rest of the world and God above is pointing out to us how to play, vigorously from the stands. 
We only to need to look up for guidance . . .