Well now that's a super sweet little smile! Today Annabeth was able to compete in AAU state gymnastics and had a great meet. She set her personal high in three events and all-around and is the AAU level 5 state champ ages 10-11. Of course, those of you who have walked with us at any point over the last few years know that this is a major "woot-woot" moment in the Sampson household. I'm very thankful for her protection and for this blessing of victory after she has put such determined effort into this sport. As always there are lessons surrounding me at every moment of my life. We happen to embrace sports in our family and even allow our children to participate at the competitive level. I know this is not the practice of every family, but this is what the Lord has led Jay and I to do at this point in our lives. I love seeing the relationships develop on each of the kids' teams, and I also pray that God continues to reveal Himself to them and grow their characters for His glory in their athletic endeavors. I have a tendency to be just a tiny bit competitive (those who know me are clearing their throats and hopefully smiling at this point) Ok so confession time...Jay is currently sitting beside me and in answer to my very innocent question, "Honey, do you think I am competitive?" He dies laughing and says "Did you not just spend three days playing another word game on your phone to "practice" after losing to me in Scramble with Friends?" Umm...I guess he may have a point. Anyway, it is amazing how quickly the enemy can ensnare you in the field of athletics. Even though Annabeth was having the best meet in the past two years, I still felt the remnant of a critical spirit inside. "Why didn't she hold that handstand on beam?" "Couldn't she have been a bit tighter on bars?" There is a constant need for achievement in most fields of sports, and it can so easily feed the feeling of discontentment within my nature. There is always room for improvement, and there are always those that are better. Man, does this feed that love of self! How quickly do I set up my idols of worship and put myself at the very center? And how often does this deadly snare attempt to take root and destructively grow within so many other areas of my life? My challenge is to take every thought captive; to approach His throne of grace for deliverance from my self-love and to rely upon the beautiful, complete and holy blood of His Son to cover my sin and transform my mind to the humble love and dependence upon Christ alone. Once again, proper perspective is essential to living the life of a redeemed child. Everything in life must fall under the truth of the Gospel and that the fullness of life only comes in the death to self. My heart is so happy for my little Annabeth in her victories but woe to my soul if I ever let that be my only satisfaction. May I continue to realize the seriousness of the sin as a parent who puts more emphasis on their child's happiness and achievements than the redeeming, sustaining work of Christ. And may I always confess and walk in victory over those longings for human glory by looking completely at the glory of my Savior.
No comments:
Post a Comment