One of my new year’s resolutions is to work on Bible memory verses with my son, Josh. This week’s verse is Isaiah 40:29-31: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” He has done a great job reading the verse three times a day and has almost said it by memory (with motions and prompting). He is a smart seven year old and it is time for him to commit God’s word to his open heart.
There is an additional reason for this scripture. It is not only one of my favorites, but I am hoping the words will be a true encouragement to him. Josh’s open heart also seems to be a crushed one. We have not been able to figure out why exactly, but we have noticed a huge lack of spirit when he is at wrestling practice. He went from loving it to just doing the motions. We are guessing it might have something to do with a less experienced friend being able to beat him even though he doesn’t know as much as Josh. Whatever it is, you can tell his heart is no longer in it.
Tonight is a practice meet so you can see the anticipation in his face. Last year, he went up against a boy three years older and more mature but was relentless to not give up even when turning purple from a choke hold. It was definitely a time of learning a grown up lesson in a little boy moment. He has learned so much since then, yet without having the heart to believe that he can beat even the giants, I am concerned for his outcome. I have even come up with an anachronism: “get stinky” – survivor, tough, intelligent, non-stopping, keep it up, you go boy!
This is where the scripture comes in. I once had someone tell me that he was raising his kids to be adults not kids. He explained that everything he did was to encourage and give them knowledge when they were older. Will Josh remember the anticipation he is dwelling in? – Maybe. Will he remember that his mom was in his corner spouting that those who hope in the Lord will soar on wings like eagle? – Hopefully. When he looks back, I want him to remember that God was with him. I want him to fully feel that anytime he is tired of fighting, that he can look to God to renew his strength. This is not about wrestling, it is about courage and finding the heart to go on. My job as his head cheerleader is to root for him to ‘go, fight, win’ and be the relentless little boy with the brave heart. “Get Stinky! Get Stinky! Get Stinky!”
Kathy
p.s. Josh got his heart back! He was awesome! Even his coach said “Josh, you’re back! I’ve been missing the old way you wrestled!” He not only dominated the whole match, but he ended it by pinning the poor kid. Mr. Relentless is on the mat again!
(Josh is in red)
There is an additional reason for this scripture. It is not only one of my favorites, but I am hoping the words will be a true encouragement to him. Josh’s open heart also seems to be a crushed one. We have not been able to figure out why exactly, but we have noticed a huge lack of spirit when he is at wrestling practice. He went from loving it to just doing the motions. We are guessing it might have something to do with a less experienced friend being able to beat him even though he doesn’t know as much as Josh. Whatever it is, you can tell his heart is no longer in it.
Tonight is a practice meet so you can see the anticipation in his face. Last year, he went up against a boy three years older and more mature but was relentless to not give up even when turning purple from a choke hold. It was definitely a time of learning a grown up lesson in a little boy moment. He has learned so much since then, yet without having the heart to believe that he can beat even the giants, I am concerned for his outcome. I have even come up with an anachronism: “get stinky” – survivor, tough, intelligent, non-stopping, keep it up, you go boy!
This is where the scripture comes in. I once had someone tell me that he was raising his kids to be adults not kids. He explained that everything he did was to encourage and give them knowledge when they were older. Will Josh remember the anticipation he is dwelling in? – Maybe. Will he remember that his mom was in his corner spouting that those who hope in the Lord will soar on wings like eagle? – Hopefully. When he looks back, I want him to remember that God was with him. I want him to fully feel that anytime he is tired of fighting, that he can look to God to renew his strength. This is not about wrestling, it is about courage and finding the heart to go on. My job as his head cheerleader is to root for him to ‘go, fight, win’ and be the relentless little boy with the brave heart. “Get Stinky! Get Stinky! Get Stinky!”
Kathy
p.s. Josh got his heart back! He was awesome! Even his coach said “Josh, you’re back! I’ve been missing the old way you wrestled!” He not only dominated the whole match, but he ended it by pinning the poor kid. Mr. Relentless is on the mat again!
(Josh is in red)
No comments:
Post a Comment