He is five foot two inches tall and he is only eight years old. (orginal)

Hunter! 
Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

They say third time is a charm, I hope so because this is the third time I have tried to write this article. So here it goes.

Hunter, my oldest son, loves to play sports. He has played a few years of recreational baseball and soccer. This year I wanted him to try something different, so when he mentioned basketball, I was thrilled. As you can see by the picture, Hunter is pretty tall for his age. He is eight years old and is five foot two inches tall and wears a size nine men's shoe. So like I said, when he asked about basketball my pride swelled. It is a funny thing, pride, it seems to always turn to bite you.

When Hunter told me he wanted to play basketball, pride just coursed through my body. As most dads with a 5'2" tall eight year old would think, "He is going to be a natural!" So I signed him up. There was a church in our neighborhood that was sponsoring an "Upward" basketball program. For those of you looking for any type of sporting program to put you kid into, Upward is one of the best. I think they offer soccer, basketball and cheer leading.

Anyway, the very first night that I took Hunter to basketball practice my pride and ego was just off-the-chart. Let me explain, as we were walking through the gym all the coaches were watching us. We had to walk through the gym to the information desk to find out which team he was on. As we were walking through I noticed all the coaches were watching us. They were elbowing each other and pointing. Another little boost to the pride and ego. We found out Hunter's team was practicing on court three. As we walked in that direction I could see the coaches were getting excited to see him. They welcomed him with open arms.

That is when my pride turned to bite me. Hunter started his first practice. I was waiting to see slam dunks and behind the back passes. Guess what, Hunter can not play a lick of basketball. He can't shoot, pass or even dribble. Man, this pride thing really stinks. I wanted to hide in a hole somewhere.

I learned something important that day. It was not Hunter's fault that he couldn't play basketball, it was mine. I should have spent more time with him, teaching him.

So, I started working with him. After a few more practices and games he started to get a little better. He still couldn't dribble but he discovered one thing, he was taller than almost all of the other players in the league. He started blocking shots and getting rebounds. My pride, well, it started coming back to life. Only this time it was a little more subdued.

I learned something else during this season, aren't Christians somewhat like Hunter and his basketball skills. This may be a stretch but hold on I will explain. When we become Christians, most of us do not have a clue as what God expects of us. Does He want us to be preachers, missionaries, lawn care professionals, baby sitters or even Sunday school teachers? You see most of us do not know what our God given gifts are. That's when we have to be a little more like Hunter, you have to spend time with your Father. Learn what He is offering you. Find the thing or things you are good at and work at it. You may not be called to be a preacher but maybe God wants you to hang out with some youth. Just be a goofball with them, listen to them and when they need it, be there for them. That is what He has done with me. And I am a better person for it.

As for Hunter, the season ended with two wins and eight loses. He only scored 6 points all year. He still can't dribble or pass. But what a rebounder! I am very proud of my son. He tried his best at everything and became a little better at the big things, the things everyone cheers for. But it was the little things he really excelled at, the things he was born to do.

I wonder what God says about us when we can't do the big things well but we do our best at the little things.

God bless,
Joe

He is five foot two inches tall and he is only eight years old. (orginal)