Shootout Day 2

What a day! After a frustrating Saturday, it was great to finally break out with a convincing 5-0 victory. As of right now I don't know what the final standings are. I will post the info as soon as I get it. Before today's games we were in third place in our division. Depending on what happened in game 2 between Murdock and Sena, we had a chance to slip into second place.


All we could do though is go out, play, and have fun, and that's exactly what we did. I told the girls before the game that God has given us the gift of today. "In the morning we have to go back to our responsibilities of school, study, and taking tests. But today we get to have fun." Not long from now they will forget the scores and outcomes of the tournament. What they will take with them is the memories and friendships that the weekend has brought. I have really enjoyed getting to spend the weekend with the team. They are a great group of kids.

Thanks t0 everyone who helped out today. Peter and Suzanne Chaikowsky brought orange slices for the kids to enjoy at halftime. What a treat! Thanks also to Eric Clanin for taking today's photos. And a big thanks to all the parents, friends, and families for coming out today to cheer on the team.

At Sunday school this morning we were discussing Matthew 18. In this passage the disciples are discussing who would be the greatest in the Kingdom. Jesus calls a child to stand in front of them and says, "Unless you turn from your sin and become as a little child, you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven." But then Jesus says something in verses 5 and 6 that just speaks to me.

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."

And in verse 10:
"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."

Our children are precious to God. It scares me to think that I could say or do something careless to hurt one of these kids. I have to be careful with what I say and how I say it. My goal as a coach and a parent is to take every opportunity to love and encourage them. I want to teach them to play soccer, and play it well. But I can never "look down on them" or treat them in a way that would be abusive. I think this is what Jesus is getting at when he's talking about causing "one of these little ones... to sin." He makes it quite clear what he thinks of people who intentionally do this. The way we treat our kids can influence generations of families.