My Number Ten
My eight year-old son, Jesse, is playing organized basketball for the first time this year. I’ve always loved watching sports and I’m Jesse’s biggest fan, so I knew I would enjoy watching his games even if he mostly sat on the bench. But he doesn’t sit on the bench. He starts, which in his own words means, “when the game STARTS, I’ll be playing!”
He plays tough defense and has made a few points. But what I love the most is who he is on the court. When he makes one of those few shots, he acts like every one is the game winner. Hands up, cheering for himself, high stepping to get back on defense – he embraces the moment of joy and accomplishment.
He is also the first guy to offer assistance to an injured player, even if that player is on the other team!
Tonight Jesse’s game happened to be played in the gym of my old high school. Many, many hours logged on those wooden bleachers. When old friends and acquaintances would ask, “Do you have a kid out there?” I would very proudly point to Jesse and say, “Right there. Number Ten. He’s mine.” It doesn’t matter to me if he’s the high scorer. I’m proud of how he smiles at me when he first notices me sitting in the stands. How he runs as fast as his little legs can carry him all the time – from the beginning to the end of the game. How he skips a little when he hits his mark at the wing position.
When it comes down to it, I just love him. Isn’t it cool that this is how God thinks about us? We don’t have to be the best. He’s just happy with how we look like Him, how we try hard, how we care about others.
Yep. That one right there, He says, she’s mine.
Oh, I’m welling up. I love this. And I love that Jesse is a good sport – and I bet it’s because you and Dan taught him to be.
Shoot! I should have used this new “reply” feature. Anyway. : (
I hope so, Katie! I certainly haven’t taught him how to dribble or shoot, so the sportsmanship will have to be my biggest contribution to his basketball career! : )
Haha! I welled up at the blog post too but now I’m laughing at your comment to Katie. I have a feeling the most I’m going to teach John is how to use his inhaler when necessary. It’s cracking me up just picturing you laugh when you read that.
Yep. I’m laughing. Although, I know inhaler usage can be rather complicated . . .