PRAYER FROM THE SIDELINES

God, help me keep a cool head.

Help me remember it’s my child’s game, not mine.

Help me see the joy in the game:
the nobility of trying your best,
and the satisfaction that comes with playing your heart out.

Help me keep my eye on the fun and off the scoreboard.

Let me cheer for all the children
and keep my comments about the referees to myself.

Help me to realize that the opposing coach is a child of God,
and their best player is still a child,
with feelings that hurt and a heart that can break.

Let me be a big enough sport to let my child
make blunders without my harassment.

And may I model sportsmanship and honor,
no matter what the others may say or do.

Amen.

From “Bringing Religion Home”, Nov. 1996