Daily Devotional: Teaching strategy
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult." — Selah. Psalm 46:1-3 NRSVUE
Years ago, I developed a teaching strategy I used with my young basketball players. I would deliberately make a bad call while they were practicing.
“No, Coach! Jayce didn’t touch it! It’s out on Jordan!”
My response? “I know, it was a bad call. It happens. The call stands.”
The players would grouse about it, laugh some, and get on with the practice.
I wanted them to get used to the fact that no matter how hard the officials tried to get it right, they sometimes failed and made a bad call.
Life isn’t always fair. We often get “bad calls.” Complaining rarely helps, and it wears real thin on those around us. But God is our refuge and strength. During lighter times of bad calls during games, as well as the harder times that life brings us.
The result of my teaching strategy? Not one of my players ever argued with an official. Sometimes, however, they looked my way and grinned.
Prayer: Lord? Some stuff is going on right now that I don’t think much of —thank You for standing with me when I’m going through it.
Books of Devotions, by Rev. Dr. Michael Sanders, are available locally at Ken’s Village Market in Indian River.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Daily Devotional: Teaching strategy
