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May has been a whirlwind month. So many things, from Mother’s Day to a graduation party for my 18-year-old on Saturday, and everything in between, has caused what seems to be chaos around here. Of course, school ended for summer a week ago and that just seemed to add to the craziness. All of these, though good, put stress on a household, and we have certainly felt that, as many of you have as well.
However, in the midst of all the turmoil, something happened that just made the world slow down. My son and his tennis doubles partner qualified for the State Tournament in Springfield, MO. Some of you are probably thinking that it probably added to the upheaval of May. That couldn’t be further from the truth, as this father and coach got to experience an unbelievable event, and I got to do it with my son.
I’ve been coaching tennis at the high school level for 21 years, and I’ve never gone to State. This isn’t something that happens every year, and for my first time to go to be with my son, well, you can’t put a price on that. If I could figure out how to bottle that feeling, I’d be a very rich man.
It wasn’t all rainbows and lollipops, as Jack and Alex had the worst draw possible. They would play the best doubles team in the state, the eventual State Champs, in the first round. They lost, but regrouped and ended up finishing seventh in the state and earning a medal. If you finish in the top eight, you make it to the podium. To say I was a proud papa and coach would be a gigantic understatement.
Recently, it hit me that I was done coaching my kids in high school. Jack is my last, and I was just thinking about his four years playing for me and the journey he went on. As I was lost in thought, the Lord laid on my heart that my son’s tennis journey through high school was very similar to our own Christian journey, or it least it should be. So take the next couple of minutes and explore how tennis and our walk with Jesus have remarkable similarities.
Commitment
Jack discovered tennis just before high school. He started playing around with it in 8th grade and by the time tennis season rolled around his freshman year, he was good enough to make Varsity at the bottom of the lineup. Over the next year he improved some, but it was after sophomore year that things really took off. He came to me and told me he wanted to quit soccer and focus all his energy on tennis. We had a long discussion and this is what he did. He poured everything he had into tennis. His junior year he was number two in my lineup, and his senior year my number one, who eventually would make state.
How many of us out there have just played around with our walk with the Lord? We go to church every now and then. We pray when we need something. We’ve got a daily Bible verse that pops up on our cell phone – that’s enough scripture reading, right? God doesn’t want you to be somewhat in; He wants you fully committed. I’m not saying you have to give up everything else in your life, but it wasn’t until my son went all in on tennis that a real difference happened in his game. And it won’t be ’til you go all in with Jesus that a real difference will happen in your walk with Him – and therefore your life.
Practice
When Jack made that commitment to tennis, he practiced all the time. Any chance he got to play, he did. He had several coaches and mentors who worked with him. He played with people who were better than him so he could raise his game, and he played with people who weren’t as good as him, helping them with their game. These things made him sharper and just kept improving his tennis IQ. He just wanted to play, even if he was by himself. Some of his best lessons came working on his own.
Wow, talk about lining up with what God wants – this is even more than I was thinking! God wants that practice from you. He wants you to crack open His word and talk to Him about it. But not just Him, Jesus wants you to reach out to those who challenge you to become better. “Iron sharpens iron.” He wants you to learn and grow so you can help those who may be a step behind. And He wants you to be comfortable in your alone time just with Him – a time when some of the best lessons He has for you can be made clear.
No Pain, No Gain
One thing Jack worked on ferociously was his serve. He knew that if he wanted to take the next step, he had to improve both his first and second serve. Over several months, I watched him add MPH to his first serve and completely develop a very good kick serve for his second. That kick serve was a bear, as it wasn’t a motion that his shoulder was used to. Consequently, there was pain. He went through icing, ibuprofen, working with me on some home exercises, and with the trainer at school. He eventually worked through the pain and got that shoulder used to that motion, but I wouldn’t say it was easy or fun.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. -John 16:33
Let’s face it: life can be hard. We can have pain and sorrow that far surpasses working on a second serve. But as Jack worked through his second serve, he had people there to help him with the pain. Your heavily Father has promised you that He has your back. He has overcome, and He is here for you. He will do this in various ways, but know that He will be there to administer whatever is just right for the pain you are suffering.
Our Goals, God’s Plan
Before this season started, my son told me that his goal was to make it to State in singles. I loved the fact that he had set a goal. His doubles partner, my number two, had set the same goal. They both were working to achieve it, but they didn’t see the same picture that I saw as their coach. I knew that Jack and Alex were a special team. They played together last year, over the summer in select tennis, more over the winter, and finished this high school season not losing a match in our regular schedule (18-0). I knew they had chemistry that many other teams didn’t have, and I knew their best hope to get to State was with each other. I quietly let them know this individually throughout our season. As their confidence grew and they saw what I saw, they changed to a goal of getting there together and nothing was going to stop their run to Springfield.
Isn’t this just like our walk with the Lord? How often do we have our own plans, our own goals, and we don’t even consider God’s plan? He sees the big picture. He sees things that we can’t see, but we so often put our head down and just keep plodding forward. All the while, God is quietly sending us signs that will get us back on the right path if we just heed them. God’s plan is always better than ours…well, because He’s God. If we work at aligning ourselves with His plan, our road and life will be so much better.
Like I said before, I’ve been coaching this sport for 21 years, and I never once thought about the tennis journey and the Christian journey being similar. So I marvel in the fact that God is still allowing me to see things in new and different ways. I hope you too can see things in a fresh manner as you work through your walk with Him. Until next time…
Great post, Noah, and so true. Congratulations to Jack, his partner and you! What great memories!! Our two daughters played tennis all four years at SDHS too. The younger one, now in her 30s, still plays including some USTA and recently went to a tournament in California. She is now also involved in starting a Sunday community tennis program for families in the Benton Park area of STL. Tennis is a life sport as is are relationship with God. Have a great summer.
Thanks Cindy! Tennis is a life sport as is are relationship with God. Great line! I should of used that!
Thank you, Noah for this post that is so inspiring and speaks to me about how important it is to be able to share God’s word with people and to keep us in the loop; and to keep focusing on the Lord, reminds me so much of things your Mother would have said also and directed us in so many ways for years! Thank you for giving your time and leadership to support the children toward lives that are centered in the right direction! That is so needed in this world! God bless you and yours!🙏🙏🙏🙏
Marilyn Crawshaw
Thanks Marilyn, that means so much.