(3 minute read) Josh was proud of his son Tom, as Tom was following in his dad’s footsteps being on the basketball team at his high school. The same was true for Collin and his son Eddie. Tom and Eddie are in the 10^th grade and are equally talented and train pretty hard during their school practices. They have a terrific coach that is very knowledgeable and constantly raises their level of expertise.

Josh ran into Collin and was expressing that he was so thankful for the coach teaching their kids so much, as Tom was hoping to get a basketball scholarship. Collin expressed the same about Eddie, and added that he is trying to do his part as a father. Twice a week he spends an hour or so training with Eddie on the basketball hoop on their driveway.

Josh tried to convince Collin that the coach is doing a great job and that he should maybe let Eddie hang with his friends or play some video games on those two evenings, rather than drag Eddie out in all kinds of weather to practice in the driveway. Collin drew closer to Tom smiling and said, “Remember when we were high school teammates on the basketball team? You used to complain to me about your dad making you practice at home. Josh responded, “I hated it though.” Collin replied, “But you ended up the better, much better player than I was.”

Collin tried to explain to Tom that a parent’s job is to supplement, compliment, augment and correct whatever other source their children are receiving their training in life.  Take faith as an example; as adults we hear that all we need to do is look around to nature to see God, His creation and His majesty. Collin proceeded, you know what, I remember maybe hearing that at Sunday school but I never recall my parents talking about it or pointing it out, and they were pretty well churched.  Wouldn’t it be easier for us growing up to hear that more often, way more often from our parents!? I think it is good for the parent as it is for the children. Cultivating into our children’s lives is necessary, it is work and it needs to be intentional. Cultivation builds Clarity, Clarity builds Faith, Faith builds Peace and Peace builds Unity.

If you, the reader, find yourself agreeing with Collin’s opinion about a parent’s role, then examine if you mostly depend on the church teaching your child. If so, please intentionally consider how you can supplement, compliment, augment and correct the church’s teachings in your child’s life.  Embrace the cultivation process and God is your guide, and may all glory and praise be to our Lord and Creator. Till next week 🙂