“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

All In

My son played football in high school. He wanted to play when he was younger, but he was small and I was afraid he’d get hurt…I ’m not sure that was the wisest parenting decision, but it is what it is…. 

He was mostly on the practice squad; he never played in the games much. He was a beast in practice, taking on guys twice his size, laying himself out to make catches, doing whatever was asked of him—all in, all the time.

He got discouraged and chose not to play football his senior year. I often wonder how much that had to do with choices he made and the subsequent consequences that went with them. When he started making those choices I asked his football coach to please talk to him. He told me he was so sorry to hear what was going on, that he had the biggest heart on the team…as a matter of fact that’s why they never gave him much actual play time: with his heart, fearlessness and size, they were certain he would have gotten hurt. I wish I would’ve known that. Maybe I could’ve explained that to him somehow, but he just took it as people he respected lying to him as they told him over and over he would play next week, yet next week never came.

He still has a huge heart and is “all in” in whatever he does. He recently decided to go to back to school. It would’ve taken 8-10 years to reach his career goal. He went after his studies like everything else, good or bad, in his life—all or nothing. He decided through conversation with his wife and the Lord to put that on hold, at least for the time being. He has an 8-year old daughter, and while he was working full time and putting his heart and soul into his studies, his family life was suffering. Sure, he would’ve been able to provide more for her, pay for college without having to worry, but he realized he would be missing out on her childhood while planning for her future.

Today was her first soccer game of the season, the sun was shining, it was a beautiful day and a great game. He said soccer season was his favorite time of year, even better than football season, and that’s saying something. I stood there a proud mama…my son, grown up and “all in” as a husband and father. 

Tomorrow they’ll be at church as a family. God has drawn them back so patiently and lovingly. 

You see, God is “all in” when it comes to us.

“Dear Lord, help us to trust in You with all our hearts, knowing as we do, You will direct our paths. Amen.”