Children’s Sports | Andy Taylor

It might not be your favorite sport, but there’s on doubt about it…it’s mine! There’s nothing I don’t like about Tee-Ball It became my favorite sport when my kids started playing, years ago. In fact, one of the very first practices our boys attended, Clay….now 27, took a major league swing at the ball. He missed the ball, did a full 360 spin, let go of the bat and it flew like a guided missile and hit the coach square on the ankle bone! He hopped around for a few seconds, limped for a few more and through the tears said, “Clay…..try to hang onto the bat!” I still laugh when I think about it….but I’ll bet the coach still thinks it wasn’t all that funny.

I missed Crockett’s (my next to the youngest Grandson, age 4) very first Tee-Ball game today. Hated to, but I had a meeting that I couldn’t miss. I did find out, however, that after his very first hit, he headed straight to third base! I’m thinking, “Heck, yeah! If you can get a triple that way…get it on!” And THAT, is exactly why I love Tee-Ball!

You gotta be on your toes if you’re the coach; (I did get there for game #2 today!) The catcher is checking the stands behind him and making sure his people are watching. Outfielders are chasing butterflies and the second baseman and shortstop are on the ground wrestling with one another. There are a lot of spectators….probably more than at a lot of high school games. Why? Easy question; parents, grandparents love to watch their kids excel. Our Father is like that, too! A few dads are giving ‘expert’ instructions from the stands……as if there’s actually something at stake. Serious business to some!

I was asked later who won the game. I have no idea but I think, no I’m sure, they both won! Not a sad face, one, on any of the players, coaches or spectators. I don’t care if you have kids or grandkids playing Tee-Ball or not, you need to go to a game. You can have the worst day you’ve ever had, go to a Tee-Ball game….and get home just right!!

Looking back over my life it becomes clear that people who have ‘believed’ in me, and told me so, have made a huge difference in my life. I think that it probably raised my level of productivity and performance quite a bit, to tell the truth. Beginning with school and sports when I was a kid, there were those along the way who just seemed to have a knack at bringing me up a notch with their encouragement. There’s no way I could forget my Mom and Dad in talking about this subject. They, somehow, imparted the mindset that my brother, Monty and I, could do ‘anything’ that we set out to do! That has served to be invaluable in my life and I think he’d say the same thing too.

I often tell people who are in places of influence, whether they’re a school teacher, soccer coach for 4 year olds or they pastor a church, that they have an extremely important responsibility and opportunity. I’m afraid there’s millions of little kids out there who are not getting much encouragement at all. That really bothers me! We all are born with unlimited potential but many go through their life without ever hearing it. We can make a difference.

It surely starts with children but our need to be validated and believed in doesn’t stop there. We may not ‘need’ it as much as when we’re adults….but it still feels good and I think, still, raises us up to another level. You know, the Father’s very good at this thing we’re talking about! That’s just another reason we should be engaged relationally, and interacting with Him!

When you believe in someone, tell them! …….and even if you’re not overly convinced of the success of their future…..tell them anyway! It might just make all the difference in their life!!

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