This past Monday was a beautiful day on the soccer field. It is officially spring in Americus, and the grass, stands, and cars were lightly dusted with a unique yellow that only pollen can claim.
During high school soccer season, families and students brave the pollen to support a team of dedicated girls who run up and down that crazy field a million times in two hours. That’s how much they love it. Most of us parents just love them so much that we keep trying to figure out this confounding game. Hanging back from the crowd, I stood awkwardly apart from my friends and family while I tried to listen to my class that I have every Monday night for three hours. There I was- holding my phone, earbuds in, zooming, multitasking, and regretting every minute of this dilemma. I despise regrets and go to great lengths and great prayer to avoid them. Yet here I sat because I refuse to miss one of Ella’s soccer games for a zoom. This was part of the business that God has given me, so I make the most of it. Maybe it’s because the kids didn’t get a season last year because of school closures. Maybe it’s because she is our youngest and time is more precious to me. Maybe, just maybe, I am obsessed watching her play. My professor wasn’t fooled or happy. This class requires my full attention, so I eventually moved my car, and parked where I could watch them play. I switched on the A/C and my computer. My eyes stayed on the field. My body literally swayed with the team, and my face was covered in scowls, grins, and sometimes confusion. Yes, I love watching my girl. I’m no different than any other mom who supports a child through a sport. I recognize commitment, effort, and enthusiasm with every block, kick, and sprint. Ella is tougher than me, but I pray more than she realizes. It’s me and God throughout each game. Ella doesn’t like me to yell, but sometimes I yell just because she doesn’t like it. All these emotions and a spectacular sunset were captured and recorded on that class zoom. I felt ridiculous as I tried to navigate my commitments as a professional and my commitments as a mom. Neither my professor nor my child got my full attention, but they both got all I had to offer. I felt weary, fatigued, and a little frustrated because I did not intend to put those two things in competition with each other. I thought I set aside sufficient time and energy for both. When we finished the game, I raced home to finish my class. It was an exhausting day. The next morning, I found myself standing in front of fifth graders explaining (in French) the pyramid of basic human needs. The French feel that one’s physiological needs come first. They list food, water, sleep, and breathing clean air as fundamental human needs that go at the bottom of a pyramid that charts this hierarchy. From there, they move on to security of shelter, medicine and health care, employment, family and social needs, esteem, and personal accomplishment. How about that? Rest before clothing on the scale of basic human needs. I concur. I’m exhausted, but I have plenty of clothes. Graduate school ranks up at the top of the pyramid with personal accomplishment. Rest is at the bottom. I think I now officially live on all levels of that pyramid all the time. No wonder I’m a bit tired. You know what is not listed on any level? Faith. You know what is definitely on my personal pyramid of human needs? God- because I simply cannot do any of this without Him. God’s pyramid of basic human needs reminds me that there is a time for everything. In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon recorded all these times and all these seasons that matter under heaven. King Solomon doesn’t mention zoom, but he does mention toil and working hard for something. He said to be careful that it does not become vanity. It’s in chapter 2 that he tells of his own struggle with toil and gives insight into how to find enjoyment in the business of living that God has given him. King Solomon wrote, What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time…there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil- this is God’s gift to man. Ecclesiastes 2:9-13. I appreciate King Solomon for this warning against vanity. I found encouragement to keep on with the business that God has given me... to take pleasure in my graduate school work and zooms, to search for joy in my lessons with some awesome kids, and to savor each beautiful chance I get to see my daughter play soccer. It’s this season of my life after all. And I thank God for everything beautiful He has made for me.
1 Comment
Dinah
3/26/2021 09:11:47 am
I love it. And totally agree.
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JoAnna Arnold
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