I had a fabulous “Mothers Day! ” I am truly blessed! One of the things I love best about being a mom is watching my kids smile, laugh, play, try new things, accomplish new things, ect… What is really fun for me right now is watching Brooklyn’s cheer practice!
Up until now, everything in her world just whirled right around our world (church) and all of our responsibilities there. She has tagged along since she was born and has even gone as far as to tell us that “she is a pastor too!” LOL :) About 3 weeks ago we let her start something that is totally and completely for HER! I love it! I love how her eyes light up, I love being a mom on the sidelines with no other responsibility but to watch and be proud of my daughter!
I especially love how God speaks to me even in these little moments. It’s amazing that when we keep our eyes and ears open and attentive to HIM how He reveals himself every day, in everything!
As I watch Brooklyn in practice, it is evident that this is no fluff “Rah, Rah, Rah” for 5 year olds. She is the youngest one out there and they don’t play around, they are training “athletes.” She has a two hour long practice consisting of jumps, motions, warmups and BOOT CAMP. When I say BOOT CAMP, I mean this is a serious time of whipping these girls into shape! I need to join them out there. The first day of this type of practice Brooklyn was pumped! She loved being out there and she did great! She would run to me with a smile, take a swig of water and race back out to the floor. Her second practice was yesterday and I could see that it was a little more work than she expected and she was tired…but she pressed on!
In the car on the way home she complained about practice and how tired she was. I asked her if she still wanted to do this and she said yes! I reminded her that every good thing takes hard work and discipline. I reminded her that she isn’t just having fun today, but she is preparing for all of the shows and competitions that they will have in the future. I think at some point she will understand this, but don’t we all hate that little lecture! :)
Isn’t this scenario so similar to our Christian lives. I mean Paul describes being a Christian as running a race and pressing on towards a prize. I know for me the hard work and discipline required of me sometimes brings a smile to my face and sometimes it is a complete chore. Occasionally I pop out of bed early in the morning ready for my time in the word and other times I have to drag myself down stairs and blindly brew coffee to stir my senses enough to see the words on the page. But the truth is, without this time in the word and in prayer- I am an empty vessel. It’s one thing to go to church and to call ourselves Christians, but are we really willing to do the work to live a successful, God empowered life or are we content with a title but no real evidence of “power” in our life?
You see Brooklyn could play at a gym, she could even call herself a cheerleader and wear the uniform, but without the work, practice and discipline- it’s just a costume and a fun game! Do you find yourself dressing up and playing Christian or are you willing to form the discipline needed to grow in you spiritual life and to press on through trials and run this race as to win the prize that Christ has called us to? Do you have an eternal mindset, or are you living for what you want today!
I don’t know about you but I don’t want to get to the end of my life and have nothing to show for it but a costume and empty vessel!
