“I’m gonna play for Kentucky basketball!” This is what my son said to Jodi the other day. He told her that he wants to play for the Kentucky Wildcats basketball program when he goes to college. He went on to tell her that he thought he could be as good as Eric Bledsoe, who currently plays for Kentucky. Bledsoe is a great player. He’s a freshman who has started most of the season and many think he may go pro after this season.
Keaton is 9 years old and he loves basketball. He loves watching college, NBA, playing himself, and playing it on the Wii. Just a couple of issues. He’s got great skills, but he is not aggressive in any way and he didn’t even score a basket this whole season of Upwards. Keep dreaming!
“I want an ipod.” This is what my 4yr. old, Addison, said to her mother a couple of days ago. We gave Keaton one of our old ipods and set him up with some music and he’s been listening to it everyday since we gave it to him. So, little sister watches big brother and wants one too! In fact she said these very words, “I know how to work an ipod.” Mom told her that maybe when she’s nine she can have one. The truth is she probably could work one now. She can operate our iphones as well as us, but she’s still not getting an ipod.
Here’s what I love about these two stories. My kids are dreaming, imagining, hoping. They believe they can do anything and want to do big things! I want them to be dreamers, to have high hopes, to know that if they follow God, they can do unbelievable things. I want to be encouraging them to be open to what God wants to do with them. I want to pour into them like Paul did to a young Timothy…
“Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.
11-14Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use.
15-16Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.” I Timothy 4:7-16 (Message)
I need to be building their self-esteem and especially their spiritual self-esteem. My prayer is that my kids will do incredible things for the kingdom!
It’s amazing how often I push aside my hopes and dreams due to fear, reality, and a “there’s no way I could do that” mentality. Maybe I need to have more of child sized faith! I need to be more of a dreamer. Maybe I need to be living more of Christ in me than trying to get by on my own. Maybe I need to be saying, “I’m gonna play for God.”
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