Did you know that the final four teams in the 2015 NBA play-offs where in the top seven during the regular season for 3 point attempts and completions?
Or that Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs has an amazing batting average against left-handed pitchers despite the fact that he is a leftie?
There’s a good chance that you could care less about this sports trivia, but I have to admit I care. In fact, my car radio is often tuned to sports talk radio.
I haven’t always been interested in sports. But my son is a fan and when our kids were little my husband and I decided we’d be intentional about figuring out our kids’ interests and joining them in those interests. It’s been more challenging than I thought as they’ve grown older. It hasn’t always been fascinating to learn about history or creative writing or sports. It’s sometimes a struggle.
Conversation can be tough with my son, including spiritual conversation. I’ve found a way to get him talking. I ask him about specific athletes. Sometimes, I ask about a bad choice a player has made and what my son thinks about it. That can lead to a conversation about how following selfish desires instead of God’s plan has consequences that are difficult. Other times we talk about a player’s work ethic or humility.
Enter Steph Curry. For those of you who are not sports fans, Steph plays basketball for the Golden State Warriors. He is an amazing player. Amazing. And he has an amazing testimony which he has openly shared. He once brought his young daughter to a press conference. Despite her antics, Steph was delighted by her and extremely patient. Obviously, I don’t personally know Steph but his public persona has given my son and I a lot of godly principles to talk about. And for that I’m grateful. So, thank you, Steph Curry.
How have you cultivated an interest in what your kids’ are interested in? Is it ever boring or difficult for you? How do you combat that?
