Long Term view on Playing Time (Life)

My son Mike is on his high school basketball team. He serves as the 9th man. That means his playing time is limited. When he gets into the games he gives it his all and plays well but he doesn't make it into all of his games. So far I have never heard him say a negative word about the 3 post players that play ahead of him. I fact I have never heard him say a negative word about the people that are behind him.

On Sunday my wife asked him about a fellow teammate and if that teammate ever complained about his playing time. I won't tell you his answer to that question because it doesn't really matter. But when I asked him for his own views on his own playing time he said,

"When I signed up for basketball as a Freshman it didn't come with a guarantee that if I worked hard I would get a certain amount of playing time as a senior. That just isn't part of the deal. It doesn't work that way."

Wow. That is wisdom. I couldn't agree more.

I am glad my son worked hard. I hope he picked that up from this parents.

I am glad that my son doesn't feel entitled. I hope he also learned that from watching his mother and I.

Life would be much simpler if it worked like a jukebox. Put in a quarter and pick out your song but the truth is it doesn't work that way.

I am sure Mike would like to play more, who wouldn't. But his outlook goes a long ways toward building long term character then quitting or complaining would have.

For now Sue and I will take joy in the fact of son gets it. Praise the Lord.

(As follow up I will likely talk to my children about what the Book of Hebrews has to say about faithfulness and how God is always faithful and that we need to look at the long term rewards. But that might be too deep for this blog.)