For some reason, Noah got it in his head he wanted to be goalie. So, he spent all week convincing his coach (that would be Jeff) he was the best one for the job. Today before the game I watched Jeff work with him, giving him tips and teaching him to drop kick. Jeff returned frustrated because Noah wasn't listening to his advice. My advice to Jeff was "Tell him to obey you or he doesn't get to be goalie!" (I was in a get-to-the-point kind-of mood - did I mention it was 8:30am?)
Becca and I arrived a few minutes before the game began. There was Noah on the field, goalie jersey on and a grin from ear-to-ear. He bounced over to me, excited that he could be goalie. I wrapped my arms around him and prayed out loud for him, that God would keep him safe, help him to remember the words of his coach and help him do his best. After kissing me on the cheek, he returned to his post, still smiling.
I was on the end of my seat and in prayer the first three quarters. There was my little guy (yes, he is the smallest on the team) in front of a huge goal with seven big boys all focused on kicking a soccer ball as hard as they could at him! I wanted him to succeed, but was so nervous for him. Being the natural defender he is, Noah was usually at the top of the box, occasionally leaving it! I found myself screaming his full name as he chased the ball outside the box. I wanted to tell him what to do, but he was too far away. All I could only watch and pray.
God put on my heart tonight that parenting is like that. We train them in His Word and in His ways as they grow, but for our kids to really own their faith, there is a point at which all we can do is watch and pray. I would have played goalie differently. I would have been safely inside the box, focused on protecting the goal. Noah, being the driven guy he is, was focused on winning the game. He did everything he could to get the ball to his teammates so they could score. And score they did - three goals! Not one ball got passed Noah, probably because there were a few angels in the goal box even when he wasn't.
I asked the coach after the second quarter if Noah should be so far away from the goal.
"He's doing what I told him" was my husband's response. Oh, how much better would we do in life if we did what our Father told us to do! To the outsider it may seem crazy, but we need to remember He always has a plan.
Noah had a smile on his face for the entire game. He found joy and success in doing what his father told him to do. And I had a smile knowing that though I'm his mom, His God loves him more and will never leave or forsake him. Slowly my job is shifting from teaching and leading to praying and watching. It's not easy, but it is very rewarding when he does what we've taught him.
