If you have ever read any of my posts, you know that Jacob has ALWAYS had to fight adversity in sports. As his mother, of course, I believe it is because he has talent, coaches realize it but he is a threat to their son's spot, so they treat him unfairly. Every time. Every. Time. Fast forward to Freshman year. "Dad ball" should be over, right? Nope. A dad made his way onto the team as assistant coach - which mean he decides who plays - when and where. And of course, said dad has not just one kid, but TWO. I'm not sure why this was allowed to happen, but nevertheless it did. This is what is, so we forge ahead. Except for ahead was a sprained hip flexor for Jacob. So from the very first day of basketball he was handicapped. He went to every practice, sat at every game and did whatever he could. He went through 6 weeks of rest and physical therapy and chomped at the bit every minute because all he wanted to do was play. He finally got the clearance to come back, but has been "hindered" at each of the games he has played in. As such, his head is NOT in the game. Every time I have watched him play it has been like he is confused, in a fog and terrified to make a mistake. After today's game, I could contain myself no longer. I told him how bad it was and reminded him that it was not because he was a bad player that it stunk, but rather because he let other people get in his head. This is now a mental game. He knows he has to overcome 6 weeks of being behind. But more than that, he has to overcome what people who should be coaching him have done to him mentally. Thing is.....this kid is tough. He is going to do it - there is no doubt. Know why I know beyond a shadow of a doubt? Because he came home, and was gone for a bit, then came up to me and said "I know how we can fix this. If you see me lacking in effort, or see that I need to pick it up....just yell 3-2-3." I said ok, waited a minute and then asked if he wanted to tell me what it meant. He replied "No, but I'm sure you can figure it out." I had an idea, but snuck off to verify it. This kid is something else, and I know that through all this "crap" God is working something great out of Jacob. Jacob knows where his help comes from. He knows where his strength comes from. And most importantly, he knows Who he is working for.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, Colossians 3:23This is what it is about. I want my kids to be successful in everything they do. But the ONLY thing that is truly important - loving and serving God - this humbles me. This makes every bit of pain worth it. Jacob is truly a young man of God. And for that I am eternally grateful.
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