With Fans Like These

I love to watch my children play sports! It brings back fond memories of being a part of a team, playing hard, doing my best for a win, and celebrating (or commiserating) with my teammates. I try my best to stay positive and give huge bear hugs to my children after they compete, regardless of the game's outcome or their individual performance. Simply put, I am proud of the fact that they are trying hard to compete in athletics. However, I know that many parents do not share my philosophy of junior sports.

At the end of my daughter's volleyball season, I witnessed a parent becoming so infuriated with their child's performance that they were yelling across the court with obvious anger and disappointment. The negative woman finally made a hand-chopping motion across her neck and yelled for the coach to bench her daughter. What kind of parent would be their child's worst sports critic?!? With fans like that, who needs an enemy? I was saddened and embarrassed for the whole family, and I longed to wrap that poor girl up in a hug to protect her from the certain tirade that would unfold on the ride home following their team's loss.

For those of us who are in Christ, we are told to zip-it unless we can say something positive. Ok, so Scripture does no quite put it exactly like that. Here is what Paul says in Ephesians 4. [29] Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. (Ephesians 4:29-31)

You may not attend any sporting events this year, but I am sure that you know someone who will either be built up, or torn down, by your manner of speech. Young people are especially vulnerable to overly-critical language, and eventually their spirits can be broken to the point of quitting altogether. What hope does a person have if you criticize their very best? Even in correction we can aim for a positive outcome if we season our words with grace and encouragement. If you do get the opportunity to attend a child's sporting event this year, applaud until your hands bleed, shout words of encouragement to all of the players, and wrap the child up in a bear hug that is sure to embarrass them while they smile beneath the shelter of your embrace.