Integrity: Lessons Learned From My 13 Year Old Son

For the past 5 years, my oldest son has played football. Each season, I watch him grow as a person and as a player.

Every season has teachable moments… for him and me. We try to make the most of these moments and use them as life lessons.

As I watch my son each season, I admire him more and more. Especially after this season.

By watching my 13-year-old son, I have learned what it looks like to have a walk of integrity.

Sure, we have conversations about what it means to be the same person in the light as you are in the dark.

Sure, we have conversations about giving everything your best as if you are working for the approval of God and no one else.

But what I see on the field, I can take no credit for.

My son has played as an offensive lineman every year since he started playing. He does play some defense, but he mostly found his groove on the offensive line.

If you know anything about football, you know that the offensive line doesn’t get much “glory” or recognition…until you miss a block or make a mistake.

During one of the first games of the season, Aaron missed a block during a play. During this same play, the quarterback was injured.

The young man who was injured insisted that it was not the person that Aaron was blocking that got through. Unfortunately, others on the team had a different account of what happened.

Aaron felt responsible for what happened. He felt awful.

When Aaron got to school the next day, he faced being ridiculed the entire day by people on and off the team, saying that it was his fault that the young man was hurt.

To add insult to injury, when he got to football practice, the entire team blamed him for the injury, and a coach as well.

He was discouraged, but he refused to give up or feel sorry for himself.

He could have easily been frustrated and allowed that situation to make him want to give up.

But just like every other year, I watched my son go on the field every time and give it 100% for the sake of the team.

He knew there was a slim chance that he would hear his name on the loudspeaker.

He knew he would likely not get much recognition unless he missed a block.

He knew his position would likely not ever make him popular amongst his peers.

Yet, week after week, I saw my son go on the field and do his best. Not for his own sake, but for the sake of the team.

It made me think… how many disappointing situations have we faced that made us shrink back and want to give up?

How many times have we been afraid to try again because we don’t want to make a mistake?

How many times have I allowed what someone said or thought about my efforts intimidate me and affect my performance?

Will we still push through and do the noble thing, even when we think it’s ineffective?

Will we still give everything our best, knowing that we may never get positive recognition…only recognized when something is lacking or goes wrong?

My 13-year-old son showed me what it’s like to have a walk of integrity.

He showed me what it’s like to finish a thing out because of your confidence in God.

He showed me the true meaning of the following scripture:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interest of others. Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

This wasn’t his first time having this type of experience. It comes with the position. He could have quit a long time ago.

He didn’t allow adversity in whatever form to hinder his passion and purpose during this season of life.

I encourage us to do the same.

We will face disappointments.

It will look like we are stuck and nothing we are doing is working or effective.

Don’t give up!

Trust that God will provide everything needed to accomplish what He has put in front of you to do.

In this new year, let us always be mindful to do EVERYTHING as if we are working for the approval of God and not man, no matter what it looks like.

Have the confidence that God sees you and your efforts. He knows the motives of our hearts.

Let us not grow weary in well-doing, despite what anyone thinks or says, including you.

The bible tells us that in due season, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. I know God’s word to be true.

I’m so grateful for this young man that God has given me to raise. It is such an honor and blessing to be his mom. He has taught me so much more than I could ever teach him, and he doesn’t even know it.

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men. Colossians 3: 23 ESV

Thank you, son. Thank you, Lord!