Parents On The Bench

We went to watch a friend play basketball the other day, and I smiled at her dad helping coach the team. It brought back a lot of memories of my own dad coaching our teams - softball, basketball, baseball, and taking on any role he could to support us in our other activities such as choir and band. 

There is just something about parents on the bench. 

Parents who give their time to practice plans and practices and games.

Parents who give their energy to leading, to figuring out, to supporting. 

Parents who say the hard things, make the hard team decisions.

Parents who dig deep to find the patience with each player - and twice as much for their own. 

Parents who spend a whole lot of time figuring it out the right thing - and way - to address all the things.

Parents who, by necessity, develop thicker skin. 

Parents who create the spotlight moments and then quickly step out of the light. 

Parents lugging the equipment, helping with directions.

Parents with a word of encouragement and a lesson on sportsmanship.

Parents who give to their own kiddo, but also to so many more. 

Parents who are intentionally stepping out of their comfort zone. 

Parents who are just happy to get to be there. 

Parents who usually don't get enough credit. 

Parents whose kids don't quite realize what a blessing they're being given in the moment ... Oh, but later were thankful for them. 

Our parents on the bench. 

(clearly my technology and photo quality have improved 🤣)

Whispers

I think it's the noise in our own heads we have to fight the most. 

The noise that says maybe we aren't doing enough. Or maybe we don't even know what we're doing. 

The noise that says too much is being asked of us. Or maybe we're giving too much of us. 

The noise that says we're better than that. Or we should be better than that.

The noise that says we aren't good enough. Or maybe we'll never be good enough. 

The noise that says it's all too much. We can't keep up. 

The noise that says maybe we could do a little bit more. If maybe we just did it a little better. 

Sometimes we blame it on others and lash out: our bosses, our coworkers, our children, our spouses, our parents ... 

Sometimes we try to drown it out, each in our own ways: mindless shows, busy work, overcommitment, shopping ...

Sometimes we let it infuriate us. 

Sometimes we wallow in it. 

So how do we rise above the noise? How do we trun it down? Or drown it out?

I think, perhaps, we can only truly drown out the noise wih our own, very intentional, whispers. 

Whispered prayers to God to help us find the balance of enough and not too much. 

Whispered readings of scriptures that remind us we are not alone. 

Whispered reminders that what's important is what God thinks, not others. 

Whispers of encouragement to others that find their way back to us. 

Whispers of thanksgiving for the things, and people, we have. 

Whispers of praise for a God who is helping us handle it. 

Whispered reminders that remind us we are loved despite our imperfections. 

The noise of the world sneaks in. The quietness of our God can drive it out.