It's All In The Root

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

We could debate until we were out of breath about which professions and jobs are most important to the future of our world.  There could be equally long debates about the wage and status for those jobs and professions.  I have been reminded this month that the debate about status and money and importance doesn’t amount to a hill of beans because the true marker is  passion and the peace in your soul that only comes from the satisfaction of knowing you are using your God given gifts to bring him glory in any way he asks.  People who choose to work with kids of any age sure don’t do it for the money or the status yet they are some of the most richly blessed and revered people you’ll find.  I’ve had a front row seat to amazing kids who have been led by the example of amazing adults.  

Our little mid-Michigan community has brought home 3 State Titles this month.  One in Competitive Cheer, one in Boys Basketball and one in Girls Basketball. In fact, in the last 10 years this little community has earned 11 State Titles and has advanced to Finals 25 times.  Academic success and achievement in the Arts for our students is stellar as well.  But how?  It’s a school made up of around 400 kids who all live within the boundaries of a rural district. The towns are tiny, there is nothing flashy or fancy but there is something amazing that goes on around here. The success all boils down to a very powerful root.

As my newsfeed jammed full of pictures of the kids who were achieving great things this month I thought of the words of an old Whitney Houston song…I believe that children are our future; teach them well and let them lead the way.  Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride, to make it easier; let the children's laughter remind us how we use to be.  It sort of hit the spot!  Our kids are great and they are loved and led by parents,  teachers, coaches, principals, Priests and dozens of other community members who have great  passion.  All those people who invest their time, prayer, energy and love into this community see great fruit.

The priority however isn’t trophies or scores or medals, the priority is the rock solid FAITH of this community; that faith is the root!  Faith and family are top priority and with those priorities come a strong work ethic, a balanced perspective and a strong sense of pride.  When something is working, it’s evident.  The biggest return on the investment is when the kids become the ones teaching the lessons.  The grand finale of the month happened Saturday night when the girls team got back to town and asked Father Eric to say an unscheduled mass for the team.  They had attended mass together regularly  all season and it seemed the perfect ending.  Saturday night, it was the girls teaching the lesson on priorities. The kids in this community steep everything in prayer.  They pray with each other and for each other.  They are often seen living out their faith on and off the playing field.  Sometimes they are the  ones who are inspiring the adults to grow in faith and discipleship.  

When faith is your root, what sprouts and grows from there is a beauty to behold. When you set out on a mission to help young people grow in faith and live that faith through whatever gifts God gives, that makes a difference in the world. 

A Seed To Plant:  If you want to change the world, find a way to use your gifts to support kids.  Volunteer, coach, teach, tutor and pray!

Blessings on your day!