Dear Gratitude Journal –
My growing-too-fast boy plays his final game of his first season of tackle football this week. In the spirit of the Thanksgiving season, I’m sharing a few things for which I am thankful as a football mom!
Shower Shoes
When I let my mind wander to the germs and grossness that live on the locker room floor, I actually gag. Thank you, Lord, for the suggestion to purchase shower shoes and the moment of follow through in which I did it.
Smell-good laundry sprinkles
Oh, friends! The smell from the football bag. I can’t even describe. I’m not fan of strong-smelling laundry products. I was apprehensive to try, but a friend explained she didn’t actually follow the “add a cupful” instructions and just sprinkled in a few. It was life changing, or at least smell changing. After a wash with laundry sanitizer and a few smell-good sprinkles, the clothes are back to smelling fresh. Thank you, Lord, for the option to wash our clothes and for the tips of friends who are winning the laundry game.
Those games when it felt like fall
Summer lingered much longer than she should have this year. Game after game we sweated through watching our boys tackle each other. We chugged water between each cheer and melted onto the bleachers. And then, finally, the sun lit the field, but didn’t melt the crowd. Sunshine, a chill in the air and the thought that maybe we might want a hot chocolate were all welcome in the last games. Thank you, Lord, for the change in seasons and your beauty in the differences between summer, fall and winter.
Morning commutes with my boy
Gracious, these mornings have been early! And, my boy insists on being earlier than just on time early! But I’ve cherished mornings as he has played the part of car DJ or shared the tiniest tidbit of insight into his middle school life. Thank you, Lord, for fleeting moments. I’ll blink and he will be driving himself to and from practice.
Mommas who cheer with you, groan with you and share their hard-earned knowledge of how to be a football mom
Many of these football mommas I don’t know well. Some are cherished friends. But I’m thankful to those that share their expertise in all things new. They calmed the nerves of those of us who have heard locker room horror stories, organized team drinks and thought about the importance of special mom shirts. I’m grateful our boys are learning the life lessons of being a team, but especially for the learning I’ve had as I share the stands with these mommas. Thank you, Lord, for other mommas.
Coaches who care what kind of man your son will become
I’m thankful for first downs and catches and scores. But mostly, I’m thankful our coaches open God’s Word with our team each morning. The coaches walk a fine line of high expectations and pushing the boys to be the best they can be and building relationships. Thank you, Lord, for godly men who invest in our boys.
I’m thankful for so many things, funny and heartfelt. Since he was born, I’ve prayed he would grow like Jesus did, in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man (Luke 2). I’m watching those prayers come to pass as his frontal lobe develops along with the size of his feet and his loyal, justice-seeking heart. Thank you, Lord, for the chance to be his mom.
Hug and blessings, mercy and grace – Bethany