Hey Sport...

Most teenagers know everything, and this observation is not gender specific. At age 16, I headed out the door on another of my seemingly misguided missions. Who could have known what was about to happen; after all I knew everything. In my innocent arrogance, I was about to find there was one earthly person who could see the wreck coming, my dad! As I hurried past Billy Dale in my new Converse All-Star high tops, I was unstoppable, bullet proof. Compared to me, Superman, Rocky and even Chuck Norris were “wussies”.

As I flew by Dad, I noticed he had an unusual smirk on his face while his head was slowly moving side to side. “Hey sport, you better tie those shoes.” Looking back, I realize that when Dad called me “sport”, it was a warning, a gentle attempt to coax me back to the sane and rational side of stupidity. I was about to learn that good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgement. I do not really remember the physics of my mishap, but to this day I remember that what goes up will come down. It is called gravity.

That day I auditioned for the gymnastics, wrestling, football and ballet teams all in a 15-second session. Luckily my wreck was only a little painful, humbling and very humorous. That day I gained even more respect for my dad. He could see what was about to happen; it was almost prophetic. The look on his face was one of concern and wisdom, with a tinge of subdued laughter. He knew the predictable outcome but did not interfere. He also knew that I would not take his advice. That day he taught me about choice. Just as I did not recognize and comprehend his concern, under different circumstances my lack of good judgement could have been serious or even fatal.

Sadly, I did not always take my dad’s advice, but I can honestly say he was never wrong. Like so many situations in my life, I could usually save myself a lot of trouble and heartache if I would have only listened. The pain of discipline is always minor compared to the pain of regret.

Our heavenly Father gave us Jesus and with that a wise helper, the Holy Spirit. That little voice on the inside that gently nudges us and directs our life. Not that little voice on the inside that many people think is intuition or chance. It is the little voice that helps us to make the right decision, the little voice that says, “Slow down,” and a herd of deer or an accident is over the next hill. It is that little voice that says “Forgive,” “Be kind,” “Keep your mouth shut,” and “When are you going to stop going back for seconds?” The little voice that says, “Tie your shoes, sport!” The creator of the universe has your back, just like my dad had my back. His advice is always spot on; the choice is mine whether I listen or not.

Digging Deeper

Regarding the Helper:

John 14:16-17: 16I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. (ESV)

John 16:7-10: 7Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (ESV)

(Note: These verses occur as part of Jesus’s final instructions to his disciples the evening before His crucifixion. He was explaining to them that he was going to leave, but not to despair because he was going to send a helper. In fact, he said it would be to their advantage. “Helper” in the Greek is the word “paraclete”, one who comes alongside. A spiritual wingman if you will, the Holy Spirit.)

Regarding discipline:

Proverbs 13:1: A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. (ESV)

Proverbs 12:1: Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. (ESV)

Hebrews 12:11: For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (ESV)