A couple years ago I began resenting all my “mom duties.”

I’ve always been independent, so needing to take care of my family and drive my kids everywhere began to impact my personal endeavors – especially with ministry. There were so many opportunities at my finger tips, but it all became overwhelming and I needed to start turning them down.

Resentment began crouching at my door.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Love (God) to awaken me to a profound and vital reality. Motherhood is my number one ministry and opportunity. This is a phase of life that is critical for my girls and I don’t get do-overs.

This realization came when I watched a brief clip by Lisa Bevere where she shared a similar time in her life. She gave up “amazing” opportunities because she chose her boys. It’s been more than 2 years ago now since I watched that clip, but I vividly remember it because it had a huge impact on my thought process.

What I was seeing as a burden, suddenly became a privilege.

Stepping back and re-evaluating everything in my life over the last couple months has left me in a very awkward place. I don’t know what’s going to happen or where I’m going – personally.

What I do know is that I’m a mom who has the responsibility to raise two young ladies who were created and formed by God. They are at a crucial age and I want to be a part of it.

The next 6ish years, my girls are at the top of my priority list. Between practices, games, and events, my evenings are full. And I’m okay with that – for many reasons. But, I’d like to share a list of some that involve sports.

I read this the other day and it expresses my feeling towards investing in the sports they enjoy. They both have sports that are highly committed to, and it is my honor to invest in them. It was something that I wish I had a stronger sense of when I was a teen. Instead I was in church 6 days a week and experienced a whole lot of drama and not a lot of Jesus. My girls will learn to have a whole lot of Jesus everywhere they go – not just in church.

This was not written by me, and as soon as I’m in front of a computer I will add the name of the person who wrote this.

To all the sports mommas out there – I salute you. I never thought I had what it takes, but seeing my girls mature through the lessons of sports is priceless.

So, if I have to say no to an event, or miss your call, or don’t respond to your text/message right away, know that it’s not personal. I’m out living life and enjoying the family God gave me.

| (• ◡•)| | (• ◡•)| | (• ◡•)|

People always asked “Why do you pay so much money for your kids to do all their sports”? Well I have a confession to make; I don’t pay for my kids to to do sports. Personally, I couldn’t care less about what sport they do.

So, if I am not paying for sports what am I paying for?

• I pay for those moments when my kids become so tired they want to quit but don’t.
• I pay for those days when my kids come home from school and are “too tired” to go to their training but they go anyway.
• I pay for my kids to learn to be disciplined, focused and dedicated.
• I pay for my kids to learn to take care of their body and learn how to correctly fuel their body for success.
• I pay for my kids to learn to work with others and to be good team mates, gracious in defeat and humble in success.
• I pay for my kids to learn to deal with disappointment, when they don’t get that placing or title they’d hoped for, but still they go back week after week giving it their best shot.
• I pay for my kids to learn to make and accomplish goals.
• I pay for my kids to respect, not only themselves, but others, officials, judges and coaches.
• I pay for my kids to learn that it takes hours and hours, years and years of hard work and practice to create a champion and that success does not happen overnight.
• I pay for my kids to be proud of small achievements, and to work towards long term goals.
• I pay for the opportunity my kids have and will have to make life-long friendships, create lifelong memories, to be as proud of their achievements as I am.
• I pay so that my kids can be in the gym instead of in front of a screen…
• I pay for those rides home where we make precious memories talking about practice, both good and bad.

-I pay so that my child can learn the importance of time management and balancing what is important like school and keeping grades up

…I could go on but, to be short, I don’t pay for sports; I pay for the opportunities that sports provides my kids with to develop attributes that will serve them well throughout their lives and give them the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen so far I think it is a great investment!”