I had several errands to run today, but one of the most important of them was to buy another basketball goal for our backyard. Yes, we have active boys (down to only 2 since our eldest 2 are “grown”) and they will both die if they can’t play. Nevermind that it’s 100 degrees outside (we live in Houston). But the reality is, I’m replacing the goal because our backyard basketball court is where we do ministry. Youth ministry, marriage ministry, family ministry.
Over the past 11 years that we have been in our house, we have never not had a basketball goal. It was a place that my husband and I would unwind and talk after a long day at work. As the kids got older, it was a teaching ground for them. Not just for dribbling, but for life. Have you ever tried to get a teenage boy to open up about his feelings? Well, put a basketball in his hand and offer to rebound for him and you can get instant conversation. My husband has utilized this parenting technique with our boys, which has contributed to me spending more time watching them out the back window than actually playing with them. Despite the fact that I’m no good at basketball (always been a runner, not too good with ball-sports), I enjoy playing with them. I enjoy the activity, but most importantly, I enjoy the time with my boys. With their age differences, it is only in the past year or so that my husband and I can sit back and watch them play 2 on 2. It is always fun watching our oldest (and most defiant) use the game to teach life lessons to his younger brothers. And as I remind them often, God cares about basketball…it is sometimes just another way to bring His children together.
So, today I purchased our second goal in a year. The previous one fell on its face because the water drained out of a leak in the base. That goal sitting on the concrete slab like that looks like disaster has struck our house. And in a way, it has. The pasttime that has glued my family together for years is on hold until the assemblers come. I hope they get here quick.
