Sweet Success!

Do you want to succeed in life? Do you want to see others succeed? You are probably thinking one of two things, "why yes!" or "well... it all depends". I am not sure one answer is any more right than the other.

Today I had a neat experience. I slipped away from work (just guessing my Board of Director's will not read this blog) to watch my oldest son play a pick-up game of football. Now football is a sport he is just beginning to learn and like every young man he is having to learn as he goes. As a father I watched from the side line, emotionally linked to every effort he made. When he stumbled, my heart stumbled. When he looked confused, my heart reached out. When he seemed to lack confidence, my heart believed in him. Watching from the sideline I longed to make every play a success for him. I wanted to intervene so he would succeed. I wanted to make everything perfect! He is my Son! I wanted him to Succeed! I felt all this from the deepest places of my heart and soul and as i watched i thought and considered "what can I, what should I, do to help him right now?" "Can I intervene?" Should I intervene?"

I did not intervene and with love and pride I watched my child grow in understanding of a simple game. I watched him as he interacted with others and learned how to handle situations that were a challenge. i watched as he sorted out in his mind what was really important and what was only a game. The relationships, the score, the competition, the real purpose of the day. I stood back and watched my son as he does every day... grow-up.

As i stood there I had another realization. With all the passion I watched my son. With all the love, care and concern I had for him, it was nothing more than what God has for us. I wanted my son to know sweet success on that football field. I also want to balance what i teach him directly with what he learns on his own, both have merit. Today I was reminded, as i watched my son, that i too am a son of my Heavenly Father. He watches me struggle to throw the ball sometimes, or make the tackle. Sometimes he steps in to help me, sometimes he lets me find my own way. He is rooting for us to succeed. He longs for us to succeed. Succeed at what? Even more simple than learning football God wants us to succeed at life. Now you may say "how can succeeding at life be more simple than succeeding at football?" Well it is! Don't believe me... take a look at John 17:3 Remember one thing, I said it was simpler, not necessarily always easier.