Don't stiff-arm your child!

One weekend my family and I were at our local park when I noticed a father throwing ball with his son. As we got closer to this father and son, I could hear the dad giving instructions to his son on how to throw a curveball. The young boy was listening intently with both ears poking out from under the rim of his loose ball cap. The boy’s glove was visibly new and you could sense this would be his first season of playing organized baseball. 

The dad instructed the boy on how to properly hold the ball in his hand, where to place his fingers to give the correct rotation and spin, what type of speed to project, and how to perform a flawless rocker-step. It was a good lesson. I learned a lot about how to throw a curveball.

After the dad was done instructing his child he said, “Now, let me show you how to do it!” The boy and father walked several paces away from each other, reminding me of an old western gunfight. The boy squatted down to play the hind catcher and the dad took the imaginary mound. After such good instructions from the dad, I had to watch the performance.

The dad threw the first pitch, which missed his boy’s glove by 20 feet!  After the second pitch I started looking for my wife and children in fear of them being hit. After the third pitch I wanted to move my car!  This was comical to me as a dad. This man had given great and proper instructions to his son but could not perform the act himself.

Then the Lord spoke to my heart. I thought about how many times I have given clear Biblical instructions to my children and yet I could not perform the act myself because of my spiritual weakness.

Dads, many of us are great at giving Biblical instructions and can teach amazing classes on how to throw spiritual curveballs but can we perform per our own instructions?

We parents need to stop spiritually stiff-arming our children with an instruction-only lifestyle! Let us actively show them how to live by the Bible and only when necessary, should we use words!