COACH /kohch/ - noun. a passionate, dedicated individual who unlocks hidden potential and maximizes a team’s performance by believing, encouraging and developing. [See also: ‘teacher’]
With the starting back of school, many of us find our lives immersed in school sports and extracurriculars. I challenge each of you who have a child involved in such activities to chisel out a time in your day to pray for those individuals who are pouring into your children. So often as parents we are consumed with OUR children…their performance, their playing time, their positions, their success, and their failures on the field or court, and we lose sight of the life lessons taught and learned out there.
In the past, Will and I have questioned coaching calls (Will tends to be a little more animated and verbal with his questioning than I am). However, I have had moments where I totally disagreed or was frustrated with a coach. I too wanted to be a little more animated until I realized the amount of time Billy collectively spent in the hands of these individuals and how those individuals would influence him in ways I never could. Through that realization, I decided I had an obligation to my son and that was to pray for those individuals who had the power to build him up or tear him down (and I’ve seen both of those things occur).
Let’s be honest, not all individuals coach equally. Not all coaches understand the fundamentals of the relationship and how relationships reveal the blueprints to our children’s hearts and some may not care. But as a coach, if you can find the key to a kid’s heart, you can grow a relationship that will maximize athletic performance and effort as well as build the internal character of that child. Not all coaches look for those relationships which leads me to believe it is my duty as a Christian parent to pray specifically for those relationships.
All coaches are sons/daughters, husbands/wives, and fathers/mothers first. They deserve to have someone pray over their lives and all their personal relationships as well as the relationships they will develop with our children. Coaches give many countless hours of their time to our children with very little compensation. I pray that not only will their influence positively impact our children, but the relationships with our children will allow the coaches opportunities to find beauty and inspiration.
These days I need assistance to remember the smallest tasks even when they are of the utmost importance. What I have done to ensure I don’t miss a day praying for the men and women in my children’s life is to set an alarm on my phone. I currently have one set at 11:18 a.m. titled “Pray 4 Billy’s Coach.” Ben is moving up to the middle school and will have his own set of coaches. I will set a separate alarm for him. This summer Bo saw the alarm for Billy’s coaches going off and he was curious as to why I set that alarm. I explained the concept to him, and he promptly told me he didn’t have a coach but did have a drama teacher who I should pray for because she was kinda like a coach to him. He is exactly right. So, I will set one for Mrs. Renae too. We should diligently pray for ALL people who repeatedly give up their time and energy to invest in the lives of our children.
I challenge you to pray for relationships. Pray for the relationships of the coaches and players. Pray for the relationships between teammates as well as the team dynamic. Pray for the coach’s relationship with God. Pray God will reveal Himself to the coach and provide him/her with direction to lead the team with noble character. Pray for the coach’s family. Pray for their time as a family. Pray that time will be protected and will be a renewal for the coach. Pray for the coach’s health (coaching is tiring and takes a toll mentally, physically and emotionally on a person). Just pray. Some days my prayers may be quick and general. Other days my prayers are lengthy and specific. But my prayers are diligent because I am certain that the men who Billy call coach can provide him confidence, teach him work ethic, give him vision and hold him accountable as a player, a student, and a person.
Thank you to all the men and women who have invested in the lives of my children and will continue to do so. Thank you to all the men and women who invested in my life. You taught me and gave me so many moments I cherish to this day. Here’s to all the men and women who find their passion as a COACH or extracurricular leader! You are appreciated!!
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 1 Timothy 2:1
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