I have been on a journey to learn how to teach children other than my own. I don’t know how much time you may have spent with kids, but it is a challenging and sacred duty. It’s one of the few things that Jesus is very harsh about in the New Testament. “It would be better for a millstone to be tied around their neck and thrown into the sea than for those who hurt the faith of these little ones to stand in the day of judgement” Yikes. After 5 years, I’m starting to get the hang of it. It’s not been easy, but it’s worth it. Recently, I told a 4th grade young man at church — who was acting pretty ridiculous and in a manner less-than he was capable: “What are you doing? I dont think you know this, but God made you a leader. Your friends do what you do. You can’t get away from it. You can only choose to lead them down a good path or a bad path. What kind of leader do you want to be?” He had tears in his eyes but never broke eye contact. I clapped his shoulder and told him I believed in him. The next week he was a completely different kid. He led discussion. Paid attention. Studied hard. He led his friends. I was impressed. I told him I saw the change and was proud of him. I also pointed out how his friends were less rambunctious and paid attention too. He did it again this week. Even better. He could’ve went home whining to his mom about how strict I was and how it wasn’t fun for the teacher to single him out. He didn’t. Instead he rose to the occasion and his mom tells me he is growing at home too. Men, this generation of young men need us to speak life, blessing, and encouragement into them. Show up. Have fun. Play hard. And learn to say the hard thing. They are made of sterner stuff than we know. And we need them to rise to the occasion. #my1percent

Posted by Coach Alex VanHouten at 2022-10-20 15:44:28 UTC