Simplifying… me

My kids are Young Champions, and they have the medals to prove it.  They just completed a week long track and field clinic/outreach that our church puts on for the community.  All three of my kiddos had an amazing time making new friends, hanging out with old friends, and learning new skills.  It was a joy for me to watch them work hard and compete.  Jackson was in heaven for sure – winning and competition are his two favorite things.  For my girls, however, Young Champions was a few stretches beyond their comfort zones.  After the first night I was actually concerned that Sydney might withdraw from the clinic and end up sitting on the sidelines with me.  In the car ride home she unloaded her frustrations and anxieties about the track and field events: “I’m not fast!  I always lose!  I’m don’t jump high and I don’t throw far.  I’m going to lose everything!  It’s so embarrassing!”

My initial feeling was irritation.  Really?  Are you kidding me?  This was supposed to be fun.  You were supposed to enjoy the experience.  I wanted to lecture Sydney on all the reasons she shouldn’t be feeling upset and discouraged, and give her a good dose of “you should be grateful for the opportunity…” etc, etc.  But I didn’t.  Instead I asked her a few questions.

1. If you lose, will Mommy and Daddy stop loving you?

Sydney’s reply: No

2. If you lose, will God stop loving you?

Sydney’s reply: No

3. If you lose, will your friends not like you anymore?

Sydney’s reply: No

4. So, what’s the worst thing that can happen to you if you lose?

After a long pause, Sydney’s reply: I don’t know.

In a nutshell, if you lose Mommy and Daddy will still love you, God will still love you, and your friends are still going to love you and be your friend.  I guess the worst thing that will happen is that you will lose.  And that’s it.  If you can handle the feeling of losing, then you will be alright, because it won’t get any worse than that.  And really, it can only get better.

I’ve been trying to take my own advice lately.  Sometimes the unknown, or perhaps our worst fears, will keep us from enjoying a moment, or taking a step of faith.  I don’t know about you, but I can almost become paralyzed as the worst case scenario plays through my mind.  I’m learning to ask myself the same questions I asked Sydney: If this happens (worst case scenario) will God stop loving me?  Will Joel, and my family stop loving me?  Of course not!  So, the worst thing that could happen is this “thing”.  And if I can handle that, and with God’s help and love I will, then I will be alright.

Because it won’t get any worse than my worst case scenario.  And really, it can only get better.

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