October 9, 2015

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you:” Exodus 31:1-6

Here’s something you can know for sure every kid will go pro at something. Your kid will, too.

One of the main challenges of Raising Home Run Kids is to help your kid discover the talents, gifts and passions God put in them and then making sure he develops those talents. And you want him to develop like Bezalel and Oholiab did to serve the Lord in a significant way.

The first thing you must do is teach your kid not to be a third base runner. That is his natural tendency since third base is the competency base and people who are competent in what they do are on the road to fame and fortune. Why take the time and effort to run all the bases when you can run directly to third?

When your kid takes short-cuts in life you allow him to short-circuit his life in several ways.

To be successful your kid must come to terms with several crucial issues in his life. Those issues are, “How do I deal with God?” “How do I become a person of character?” “How do I learn to build rewarding relationships with others?”

If your kid is simply a third-base runner running from home to third, he will never learn the valuable lessons of the other bases. And for success to be lasting there must be a spiritual foundation under it. For it to be satisfying there must a personal spiritual connection with God and how can he have that unless he spends time at home plate? Success will also require an ability to relate to people and develop relationships with people. That will be far more difficult if he hasn’t been to second base. Finally, lasting success will require personal character and integrity. Since that is developed around first base a third base runner would be devoid of true character.

A kid allowed to be a third base runner will also struggle to develop a healthy sense of self-worth. Why do I say that? If he spends all his time on the third base line all he will know is work. As a result his identity, his self-worth, and his self-image will be shaped by false values on that side of the diamond.

Godly character, has always been the hallmark of those who practiced the Home Run Life. By character I mean loving God, loving others and loving self. Those character traits are all developed on the right side of the ball diamond – the home plate to second part of the field.

No one has ever been successful in baseball by running the bases backward. There is an order to the game. Runners must connect at home in order to get to first base. Once the runner is on first he wants to get down to second and then on to third base.

Similarly, no one has been successful and happy with a life lived outside of the rules so why would you want to raise you kid that way?

Step up to the plate. Lay down the rules! Play the game in order! Begin today!