Life Lessons Learned...

It's been said that being a parent is like walking around with your heart on the outside of your body. With that being said, my poor heart took a pounding last night.

Tanner's Braves baseball team made it into the Tournament of Champions by winning their league's major division. They played Tuesday night and were spectacular. They won by 2 runs. We were happy and cheering. Everyone was giving their children hugs and "high 5's". We were feeling really great. After I had packed up all of our chairs and stuff and was walking out to the car I passed the boy who had struck out at his last at-bat. When he was up to bat, there were 2 boys on base, and a good hit from him would have won them the game. He was heartbroken, and I watched as his mom put her arms around him as the tears streamed from his face. It was a touching moment.

Fast forward one day and we're right back in the same spot...except it's the bottom of the 6th inning, bases are loaded, there is two outs, and Tanner is up to bat. I couldn't sit in my chair, so I stood up to pace. Tanner was feeling the pressure, and in the end it just too much for him. Three strikes and he was out. They had lost the game by two runs. My heart literally hurt for him as I watched the tears stream from his face.

So, you're probably wondering why I chose to disclose one of my children's failures...

As I was driving home it re-occured to me that Heavenly Father probably feels like that everyday as he watches his children try and fail. His heart probably aches just as mine did last night when I watched Tanner strike out. However, just the opposite is probably true when He watches us be triumphant and succeed in things. I know He's cheering me on, and wants the best for me. No matter how many times I "strike out" He is there cheering me on, and allowing me to learn my lessons and move on. That knowledge offers me a lot of peace, and I'm thankful for it.

To me, Tanner's strike out wasn't a failure at all, but an experience that will help him grow. An experience that will help him learn. It's something that will add to the many experiences that are shaping him into the amazing young man that he's becoming. He will be stronger because of it, and as painful as it was at the time, it's a life lesson well learned. He's such an amazing boy and I'm so proud to be his mom!!!