Coaching
I remember when I really young I coached basketball for a rec league team. The first time I coached I was just helping kids in the community. The second time I coached I was coaching my oldest son. I must say that I really enjoyed coaching. It was extremely fulfilling and rewarding. It could also be extremely frustrating and hard. As I was coaching these 7-year-old kids, I realized that there were some kids who had played a lot more than others. With some kids they could understand some infractions like walking, double dribble, fouls, etc.… Others had to learn the fundamentals. I learned that sometimes you have to start with the simple and basic functions of the game before they can be successful later as they grow. I remember one kid was amazing as a young player and 11 years later he was a basketball star in high school. I can’t take much credit for coaching him – he was really good early on. I think it’s important to realize that kids at this age are there to have fun and learn the game. They will not be featured on ESPN or have an article written about them in Sports Illustrated. I also had to come to terms that I would not be named Coach of the Year for my work and investment in these kids. My goals needed to be simple – coach them to work hard and improve their game. If I could be successful at that, the team would have fun and possibly win some games.
The Hebrew writer is giving some great life-coaching material that I needed to hear for me. As a leader in my Real Estate firm and a leader in my church – I need to be coached before I can coach. This passage really coached me this morning. Check this out……
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV)
Coaches never stop encouraging.
Coaches call out bad behavior or bad decisions.
Coaches keep the whole team in mind at all times.
Coaches can focus every now and then on one kid who needs extra help.
Coaches must practice the principals they teach.
Coaches must help with new perspective.
Coaches make more of a difference the longer they coach.
Coaches must have values like integrity, honesty and honor to be really successful.
Coaches who have Christ have the Best Coach ever coaching them!
Pressing On! Dwayne