Paths that Seperate

The Greenwood Gators won last night! Their record is now 2-1. Sam watched from the sidelines as his stress fractured fibula heals. Not quick enough for any of us but God's timing is perfect!

The Lord is always able to take unfortunate circumstances and use them in our lives to cause us to grow and mature in Him, emotionally, mentally, etc. This fractures leg has been no exception. It has given us the opportunity to talk to Sam about what really matters, character, leadership, trusting God, and so much more. It has caused Mike and I to remember that our children are His and that He has a plan that may be, and probably is, so much different than what we expect or plan for.

We have also talked to Sam about the fact that as he continues through High School, he will begin to see some of friends begin to make choices that are destructive and will head down the wrong path. It has broken our hearts this year to see and hear about kids that we have known, since they were little fellas, begin to make sometimes stupid choices. Kids stealing, partying, and quitting. The quitting part isn't so bad unless they are quitting because they don't get their way on the football team. Although, we have taught the kids that once they begin something they CANNOT quit until their commitment is over.

But my whole point is that we are beginning to see the paths of some of the kids seperate. It's kind of sad but that is the reality that we knew would happen. We know that these kids will look back on this time in their lives someday and probably regret the choices that they are making today. Mike and I both look back to our high school years and have many regrets over the stupic choices that we made. We know that our own kids will probably make some bad choices that we nay never know about until much later because they will have hid it from us. And they will regret those choices, too. Could we make a difference in the lives of the ones we know if we know they are going to make bad choices? Sure! That is my encouragement to Sam now. Encourage your teammates while you are ont he sidelines. Be their biggest cheerleader. If you know someone is going to quit, make sure you encourage him to stay. But that can also carry over into the other areas...stealing, drinking etc. Paths may still deperate, but at least you've tried. ~Deanna