As parents we want our kids to experience and enjoy all kinds of activities in school. We encouraged them to join sports so they can be with their friends and have a well-balance life. Often, we think that all books with no play, makes our kids a dull person. For those kids who are introvert, we sometimes feel that sports are the best route for them to express themselves. Maybe so – maybe not.
When my daughter was in the elementary school, I encouraged her to join little league soft ball at third grade. As the only child, I wanted her to develop her social skills through sports. You see, my daughter is more on the book-side. Give her a book and some puzzles or Legos, she will be happy and content staying in her bedroom. But I really wanted her to have a perfectly balance personality. Being the youngest in my family, I was often left alone to entertain myself. I love playing with my brother’s match box cars. I used to put strings on it so I can pull it and pretend that I am driving a red toy car. There is nothing wrong in finding content being by yourself. But I wanted my daughter to have more fun and have a circle of friends.
As she climbs through eighth grade, she was in volleyball and basketball with her school friends. She was also an excellent swimmer at the YMCA. I was always proud to see her do a 3-point shot in her basketball games. She made it look so easy. I think I was the one more enjoying it than she was. She would play but I can tell her heart is not really one hundred per cent in it. She would do it because all her friends are there playing sports. But deep down she enjoyed and preferred getting lost in her imagination when she is reading books.
When she went to high school, she courageously told me that she did not want to do any sports. Instead she joined the orchestra in school playing second string violin (this is another story for later). I was not surprised to hear that. Ironically, I was expecting it. But I was happy that she was brave to tell me the truth.
It reminds me of Colossians 3:23-24
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
You see as adults; we need to understand that there are things in life that we do out of necessity like working in a job that may not be our dream job but meets our financial responsibilities. But even then, we need to put our heart into it to make sure that we accomplished what the organization requires from us. And our work – we offer it to the Lord.
One of the many things that I taught my daughter when she was growing up is that when she starts a project, to make sure to see it through to the end or do not start a project without the intention of finishing it and to always put her heart into it. Wonderfully, her inner creativity came out in every project and design she did in school. It was obvious that her heart was into every one of them. Her work is always exemplary!
God sees our hearts when we do things out of love and sincerity. We give tithings, we serve the community, we stretch ourselves on helping our families, and friends because we want to, not because we are forced to. Jesus did not die on the cross because he was obliged to. He did it out of love and His heart was one hundred percent in it.
© fm1-11.19.20
Reflective Moments 
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