March Madness

Just for Dads –
March Madness is upon us! Does it get any better than this from a sports perspective? I can already hear the bands blaring out their fight songs with painted faces and crazy signs. How about the students (and middle-aged alums acting like students again) jumping up and down in unison as opposing teams shoot free throws? Miracle three pointers, choked lay-ups, exclamation point slam dunks. March Madness is here again!

Being a dad and raising kids in a sports-crazed community is another kind of madness altogether. No one said it was going to be easy bringing up sons and daughters in Edmond, Oklahoma in 2007. It is a challenge for fathers to lead your family to a healthy balance of putting God first, family second, then letting school, friends, and activities fight it out for third. Examples:
My nine year old son’s baseball team started practicing last weekend (that’s February) for the upcoming season. Teams like his will play multiple weekend tournaments to get ready for the season.
My seven year old daughter begins soccer practice this week – it will be her second season. Most girls in her league have been playing since age four.
So here’s the big question: As dads, how do we keep sports activities from consuming us and our families?

Maybe you’re like me. When the competitive juices get going, I start thinking questions like:
“Am I penalizing my kids by not letting them play sports year round?”
“Should I push them to play in the more competitive leagues?”
“Should I allow them to play after school with those kids who play in the lesser leagues?:
This really is madness. The truth is, it’s not just sports that dominate families like this any more. I have friends who say the same kinds of things about other activities for kids like music, dance, cheerleading/pom – and even academics. I’ll say it again, this really is madness!

Ecclesiastes 4:4 - “ I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind.”
As a former high school basketball coach, I consider myself a fan of the benefits that often result from extra-curricular activities. I have observed students learn great lessons for life through their participation in sports and other programs:
Learn a strong work ethic
Deal with success and failure
Build relationships with authorities and peers
Gain personal discipline
However, there is a downside, also. Living a life out of balance or placing any area of life above God is wrong - and ultimately leads to disaster. That includes driving our kids to perfection. In his book Never Mind the Joneses, Tim Stafford tells about a family that some can relate to. It is a sad legacy.
“(Christian parents) assumed that their girls would embrace faith. Because they were so confident, the parents left church and youth group and all other expressions of “God first” as optional. They worked harder getting their girls to volleyball tournaments than to church. Two of the girls play D-1 college volleyball, but none of the three is an active Christian.”
How can we train up our kids in a way that glorifies God – and keeps us sane? Below are some practical suggestions. (I’m working on these, too!)
Keep God first - and get Him first if you don’t have Him. Matthew 6:33 reminds us to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness, then He will supply all our needs. These words are true. If we put no idol before Him, He will bless us immeasurably.
Lead by example. Our children are watching. Do they see you excited about the game or about the things of God? They observe the God (or god) we worship.
Don’t love kids for what they do; love them for who they are. Performance oriented kids are set up for failure and low self worth (just ask any high school coach who has seen this happen too many times). Encourage them to be their best.
These are things all of us can do. Raising the next generation doesn’t have to be maddening – if we just take things a step at a time and follow the playbook God gave us. Our kids can tell a difference if we lead His way. Welcome to March Madness!
Ephesians 6:4 (NASB95) - " Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."


Rob Hunt is the Director of On-Campus Small Groups at Henderson Hills Baptist Church. Rob and Kellie are blessed with three terrific kids – and all of them are basketball fans.