God's Humbling Gifts

I feel so humbled right now. And stunned. And sad.

I just got off the phone with my son’s YMCA basketball coach. He’s told me from day one that my boy is special. Not only is he an amazing athlete, but he pays attention and does whatever he’s asked. I already knew this because his tennis and soccer coaches told me the same. And I guess I can see it myself, even though I know only the bare rudiments of these games. However, Coach Keith went on to say that he’s talked to several other coach buddies (he has coached high school and college basketball for over 20 years) about Scoot. News travels fast, I guess. To date, he’s received 8 calls from competitive coaches wanting to recruit my son for their teams.

“What?”

I hardly know what to think. He’s only 12 years old!

Coach Keith says that Scoot hasn’t had enough coaching yet to be a starter for one of these competitive teams, but give him a few months and he will. According to the coach, Scoot’s going to go far. He’s recommended a couple of coaches that will do well by him.

I am amazed at the nature...the skills and talents God has given my boy. In his first couple years of life, I didn’t believe that God would let me keep him. Not because he was sickly, but because…alright – call it superstition. Then he hit the terrible twos and I wasn’t so worried about losing him anymore. He drives me crazy when he argues with his sister or obsesses over his DS, and he is such a stickler for the rules (maybe worse than I am!). But then he stuns me once again with something like this.

My Dad would be so proud of him. I can only imagine him bundling off to each of Scoot’s games that he could, comparing statistics with him, giving him pointers about his game and hooting and rubbing his hands together over a particularly good play. And it wouldn’t matter which sport he played, Dad’d be all over it – because he was a natural athlete too and a sports enthusiast to beat all. They share so much more than a name.

So I’m humbled that God has given me such a gift to raise. I’m stunned at each new talent he brings forth. And I am so sad that my Dad isn’t here to see it all.