“Hear, O
Israel: The Lord our
God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your
God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your
hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at
home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get
up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your
foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses
and on your gates.” Deuteronomy
6:4-9
The third of three suggested virtues that should be built into Home Run Kids, in addition to honesty and thankfulness is:
PAY THEN PLAY
Immaturity is revealed in a “play first play later”
mentality. The natural inclination of a child is to run to third base rather
than first base.
Here are some priorities to teach kids to pay them play:
- · Character First And Education Second
- · School Work First And Sports Second
- · Homework First And Play Second
- · Chores First And TV/Video Games Second
Parents
know things that kids don’t know. They know one thing leads to another. Actions have consequences. We know where the
rocks are in life and need to show our kids where to walk.
DR. JAMES DOBSON RELATES A STORY FROM HIS MOTHER’S HIGH SCHOOL
EXPERIENCE IN RURAL OKLAHOMA IN THE 1930’s. HER HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM WAS
NOTORIOUSLY BAD. FOR AS LONG AS ANYONE COULD REMEMBER THEY HAD BEEN ANNUALLY DRUBBED
BY THEIR ARCH-RIVAL TEAM. A WEALTHY OILMAN WHO LIVED IN THE COMMUNITY ASKED TO
MEET WITH THE TEAM A WEEK BEFORE THEY WERE SCHEDULED TO PLAY THEIR ARCH-RIVALS.
HE GAVE THEM A PEP TALK AND THEN PROMISED TO BUY A BRAND NEW FORD FOR EVERY
PLAYER AND COACH ON THE TEAM IF THEY WOULD ONLY BEAT THOSE DESPISED RIVALS.
EMOTIONS WERE HIGH AND MAXIMUM EFFORT WAS GIVEN EVERY DAY OF PRACTICE LEADING
UP THE BIG FRIDAY NIGHT GAME. THE ENERGY IN THE LOCKER ROOM WAS PALPABLE AND
THE SIDELINE WAS AMPED UP AT THE OPENING KICK OFF. THE FINAL SCORE WAS 38-0 IN
FAVOR OF THE BAD GUYS.
THE MORAL: Occasional emotions are no substitute for consistent discipline and effort and bribes cannot replace mature motivation.
YOUR
KIDS WILL BE THIRD BASE RUNNERS UNLESS YOU TEACH THEM HOW TO CONNECT AT HOME
AND RUN TO FIRST.
Coach 'em up, parents!