I asked the boys not too long ago in one of our car rides about commitment. I used Jesus' parable changed a bit.
To the Boys:
There were two dads. Dad #1 told his son that he would be at his baseball game that night and cheer him on. Dad #2 told his son (who was on the same team) that he wouldn't be able to make the game that night because of work. That night when the game came Boy #1 looked for Dad #1, but Dad #1 never showed up for the game and wasn't there to cheer him on. Boy #2 went up to the plate during his turn to bat and heard a familiar voice cheering him on, he looked around and found Dad #2 in the crowd.
Okay boys. Which dad made the better choice.
Boys: Dad #2 (with great emphasis)
Then we had a brief but good conversation about promises and commitments. We also talked about how our family values commitment and that when they play baseball this season, even if they tire quickly of it they will finish the season. Then I was able to sneak into the conversation talk about being committed to Jesus and how we don't give up on Him and God even when things don't go our way in life.
It was a fantastic conversation. I have no doubt that it will open us up to more conversations about commitment and following Jesus.
Reality Check:
We got up to the front of the school car line and it was time for them to get out. One of my boys seemed really sad. What's wrong? I'm nervous about playing baseball. Oops, it was a great conversation but in the end I made my son sad and nervous, ha! You gotta love the highs and lows of parenting, even when they come within 30 seconds of one another. But don't worry, on his way out of the car he hit himself in the face with the seatbelt and then began to cry. Oh Boy!!!
To the Boys:
There were two dads. Dad #1 told his son that he would be at his baseball game that night and cheer him on. Dad #2 told his son (who was on the same team) that he wouldn't be able to make the game that night because of work. That night when the game came Boy #1 looked for Dad #1, but Dad #1 never showed up for the game and wasn't there to cheer him on. Boy #2 went up to the plate during his turn to bat and heard a familiar voice cheering him on, he looked around and found Dad #2 in the crowd.
Okay boys. Which dad made the better choice.
Boys: Dad #2 (with great emphasis)
Then we had a brief but good conversation about promises and commitments. We also talked about how our family values commitment and that when they play baseball this season, even if they tire quickly of it they will finish the season. Then I was able to sneak into the conversation talk about being committed to Jesus and how we don't give up on Him and God even when things don't go our way in life.
It was a fantastic conversation. I have no doubt that it will open us up to more conversations about commitment and following Jesus.
Reality Check:
We got up to the front of the school car line and it was time for them to get out. One of my boys seemed really sad. What's wrong? I'm nervous about playing baseball. Oops, it was a great conversation but in the end I made my son sad and nervous, ha! You gotta love the highs and lows of parenting, even when they come within 30 seconds of one another. But don't worry, on his way out of the car he hit himself in the face with the seatbelt and then began to cry. Oh Boy!!!
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