Practical Words for Encouraging Your SonIhe Atụ

Day Two

“You faced a big challenge, yet you refused to give up.”

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5; Hebrews 12:1-3; James 1:2-4

His freshman year of high school, our son decided to join the local Christian school’s basketball team. He went to every practice, every drill, and every game. If you know anything about playing for a small school, you know this means driving for hours and hours to remote, faraway tournaments. It’s a monumental time commitment. 

Despite all of that time and effort, he spent virtually the entire season sitting on the bench, playing only a few minutes—and only when it didn’t matter. 

As his dad, I held my peace but found myself getting a little frustrated that the coaches didn’t play him more. We believe in perseverance and encouraged him to endure when other boys in the same situation were quitting, but we both began to wonder how this continuing negative experience would affect him. 

Then one day at the end of the season, on the way home from another game that he spent on the bench, he said to me, “Dad, I don’t want to keep sitting on the bench. I want to play.” 

“Well, son, you don’t have to. You have what it takes to succeed. The question is, are you willing to do the work and discipline yourself enough to achieve your goal?” 

“Yes, I am!” he answered with resolution. 

“Okay, then here’s what you have to do. We’ll get you with a coach who will truly teach you, and then the rest is up to you. Incidentally, what is your specific goal?” 

“I want to start every game.”

So he practiced and practiced. When I was heading to bed at 11:00 p.m., I’d walk past him sitting on the stairs, lacing up his shoes. 

Did his perseverance pay off? Yes, it did. The next season he became a top-three starter! 

Perhaps your son is too young to be on a sports team, or maybe his interests lie elsewhere. The “what” isn’t important. Encourage him to be his best, and help him see a pathway to pursue his goals. Don’t be hesitant to start young. Did he put away all his blocks? That’s fantastic! Tell him how much you appreciate his tenacity, and then whisper how such commitment leads to bigger things later in life. 

God, in what area of life do you want [name] to persevere right now? How are you calling me to encourage him? Amen.