Choose This Not This

Can I start by saying, I have zero experience actually implementing this? So…obviously I am an expert on the topic – thus – the blog post.

I am currently the mother of a toddler so our main scheduling constraints are making sure to be home at noon for nap-time and we try to make Story Time at the library on Wednesdays. Other than that, we’re pretty flexible with our schedule.

We have not entered into the world of over-scheduling. I know it will be here in the blink of an eye, but we’re not there yet.

I know that many of you are. Many of you are currently deciding whether or not to sign up for elite soccer or traveling baseball. And who knows? Your child may be talented enough for a scholarship in 10 years. And you’re probably being told that there’s no way they will get that scholarship without playing elite soccer or traveling baseball.

So what do you do when it starts to take over your life? What do you do when you swore up and down you would never let your kid play on Sundays and now tournaments almost always spill over into Sundays?

While I have no experience in this arena as a parent, I do have experience as a participant. I know things were different 20 years ago, but I also know my mom stood her ground. I didn’t play on Sundays. If I spent the night with a friend on Saturday night, she picked me up for church (and sometimes picked up the friend too if they didn’t have a church).

With now admitting I have zero experience with this 3 times – I want to encourage you to prioritize your child’s faith above everything else. Whether it’s youth Bible study, Sunday worship, or reading Scripture together, don’t skimp on faithfulness to assure your kid makes the team, or gets the lead in the play, or is in all the recitals. Those things are great for character building and learning teamwork and lots of other things, but their faith formation is eternal. Choose wisely.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well.” Matthew 6:33