What A Life!

Each spring after the South Dakota winter finally melted, I played softball during my school lunch hour. As noon approached, I packed up my books in anticipation of charging out the school door. I flew home on my bicycle, gulped down a sandwich, and dashed back to the school. With Mom’s help—she had the crucial job of having lunch on the table—I could accomplish all that in under fifteen minutes, leaving 45 minutes to play ball. During those days I dreamed, What could possibly be better than playing sports professionally?

But is professional sports an idyllic job? Ask Marion Bartoli, French tennis star and this year’s Wimbledon champion, who retired from her sport this week. Listen to the list of injuries that the 28-year-old was struggling with: “injured left foot, right ankle, right hamstring and Achilles tendon injury.” With tears streaming down her face, she explained her decision: “My body was really starting to fall apart.... I have pain everywhere after 45 minutes or an hour of play.... I've been playing for a long, long, long time, and it's time for me now."

Our job as parents is to help our children discover their unique calling in life. God designed them for a purpose and their dreams are part of the path they take to find that calling. Though a few will be called to a sports career, not many will. Giving children a realistic picture of the sportsworld, may help them discover their particular giftedness.

Alex Rodriguez Is a “Good” Model

I was an NBA all-star year after year from the late 50’s through the mid 60’s. The arena for my achievements was my driveway! I created a world in which I was one of the stars on my beloved Boston Celtics. Even with Bill Russell and Bob Cousy leading my team, I often made the last-second shot, the critical steal, or the amazing block that secured another championship for the world’s best basketball team.

My driveway fantasies were not unique—all children emulate others in their play. When children imitate a princess or a superhero or an NBA star, they are “putting on” the clothing of adult life. Because imitation is one of the pathways to maturity, children need role models who are worth emulating.

 

So why is Alex Rodriguez is a good model for kids? Because he models the principle that we reap what we sow. Rodriguez is probably one of the most gifted baseball players of all time. He has been selected to the AL All-Star team twelve times. He was voted the AL MVP 3 times. He was on pace to break numerous Major League records, including Barry Bonds career home run record. He was a lock for the Hall of Fame. But now it looks like his career will sputter to an inglorious end, with all of his accomplishments tainted.

 

 We live in a cause and effect world. Though I might imagine driving the mountain roads in Western South Dakota at 80 m.p.h., actual mountain-road speeding will wrap my body around a pine tree. Though the driving might be thrilling before the crash, kicks always have kickbacks. Though Rodriquez certainly delighted in the rewards of his job (e.g., praise from the public for his earlier accomplishments), breaking the rules has broken Rodriguez.

  

So how can we help our kids develop a mature perspective about Rodriguez’ stumbles? Ask questions—and let them answer!

 

·         Why do you think such a talented player decided to take drugs?

·         How do you think he feels now about his choices?

·         Why is he the only player who is fighting his suspension?

·         Do you think he would like to turn the calendar back so he could make different decisions?

 

For a long time it was thought that children should be shielded from the faults of their heroes. So the sportsworld created what Jim Bouton called, “fakelore”—stories that masqueraded the flaws of players. But kids can handle reality if they have mature adults to help them interpret it.