The First of Many

Senior year.

Thirty-six weeks abounding with lasts; events that mark the ending of period of life that can never be revisited.

Don't mind me. I am suffering from the emotional scars of watching my youngest get ready to fly the coop. Proud of the young man he is becoming but, sad that our time left with him is dwindling away. As a MK, graduation doesn't just single a move into the next stage of life, it also indicates a move away from the parents; a move that often involves continents, not just cities or states.

Tuesday night was varsity soccer senior night.

I remember last year's celebration of senior soccer players. I knew in a year it would be Jake standing there. My head knew it, but my heart refused to think it even possible. 

I was standing on my tiptoes!

However, time marches on and here we are; the end of Jake's high school soccer career. Despite the twitches and tinges of sadness creeping into my heart, I maintained my composure.

Tears can't stop what God intended. He designed children to grow up and become independent. So despite my wanting to hold back the passage of time, I know that this is a good thing. 

So, I will celebrate the next twenty-six weeks of lasts. And,  prepare my heart for the many firsts yet to come!

For the Glory of God

Last week, I  requested prayer for Jake and his soccer teammates as they were preparing to travel to Hong Kong for a soccer tournament. 

They left early Tuesday morning playing games Wednesday through Friday to determine which teams would play for the medals.

This tournament historically has not gone well for our Mustang players. The competition is stiff; soccer is serious business in these Asian schools. Even when our teams have performed well throughout the season, they struggle to win in  conference play.

After their first win Wednesday, the door opened slightly. This was the first time in three years the team opened the tournament with a victory. The opposing team had come out on top the last two confrontations. Maybe, just maybe, they were going to be in contention for the championship game.

The seniors!

The next game gave them even more confidence in their ability to compete. Jake added a goal to ensure the victory.   

By Thursday, they were securely in the third place with two more chances to catapult themselves into the final. Their opponents on Friday were last year's winner and runner-up. 

As a parent, you want your children to always do their best. No matter what the sport or competition.

 Friday morning, as I contemplated the challenge ahead of Jake and his team, my spirit suddenly had a quickening. Now, I know that sounds strange, but when the Holy Spirit plants an idea in your heart, its hard to describe the feeling. I suddenly realized that I shouldn't be praying for the team to play their best game, but rather for them to play for the glory of God. 

All day that phrase kept tumbling round and round my heart and brain. By playing for the glory of God, they would play their best.  No matter a win or loss, they would be successful. Their focus would change from a temporary emotional status, to a relational eternal focus. The joy of victory or disappointment of a loss is temporary, but their relationship with God, the father, is eternal. 

Needless to say, my prayer changed. 

But the Holy Spirit didn't stop there. He led my thoughts to my own life. What would happen if I did everything I do in for the glory of God? What if my focus swiveled off myself and my roles as wife, mom, teacher? What if all I did became a reflection of God's presence shining out of me?

Constructive criticism would improve my skills instead of causing grief and anger.

Failure would become a springboard to success.

Fear would cease to cripple and control.

I would no longer need to work to look good in the eyes of man.

The list goes on and on. 

Everything I would do would be done to simply please  God.

I don't have to be the best. As long as I keep my heart focused on God, and strive to do all I do for His glory, all will be well.

I don't know about you, but that's a liberating idea.

By the way, Jake's team lost the last two games. They were competitive battles, but the other two teams took home the win. Despite the disappointing results the day before, our Mustangs played for the bronze position Saturday morning, and were able to bring home the bronze medal.

I am one proud mama!

Soccer Mom

I am a soccer mom.

But, not in the typical American way.

I don't own a mini van.

I also don't spend huge amounts of time driving my son back and forth to soccer practices and games. He walks.

I guess that's one advantage of living on a school campus. 

Nevertheless, I am a soccer mom because my son is a soccer player.

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away when I was still a licensed driver, several of my children were in a community soccer league. That didn't last long.

Football, basketball, baseball, and track were higher on the list.

Until we moved to Taiwan, where Jake was reintroduced to the game of soccer.

Over the last seven years, I have enjoyed watching him grow and develop into the player he is today.

Early tomorrow morning, our Morrison Varsity Soccer team leaves for Hong Kong where they will compete in the ACSC (Asian Christian Schools Conference). 

They will be joined by teams from Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, and Guam. Please pray for safety for all the teams traveling. 

On Wednesday, the athletes will join together in a community service. 

On Saturday, the championship game will be played. Our team has yet to be victorious in this tournament. It would be great to see them bring home the trophy, but, even more than that, I pray that they will allow the love of Jesus to control their actions, emotions, and responses both on the field and off. 

Championships come and go, but character lasts a lifetime!