My Karate Kid

Several months ago I showed the boys the original Karate Kid movie, the one with Daniel-son and Mr. Miyagi.  Ever since then it has been karate-this, karate-that around our house.  Michael, especially, has become quite berserk.  He practiced "the crane" off the diving board all summer long.  Whenever there's a disagreement between brothers he attempts to settle it by sweeping someone's legs out from underneath them or kicking them in the stomach.  He's teaching Zachary to meditate.  Despite my constant insistence that you can not become a black belt from watching Ninjago, Michael is convinced that he possesses some supernatural karate powers.  In case you're about to suggest that we should just sign him up for martial arts, NO.  I just don't have it in me.  Besides, Michael chose flag football as his activity of choice this fall.  He has been dying to play ever since last fall when Blake played and got an amazing, very realistic football jersey for the games.  I can't say I blame him.  I once signed up for dance because I thought we'd get white gloves for our recital costumes.  When my mom told me she wouldn't buy the outfit unless I actually danced in the recital I quit. 

Michael is nothing if not an intense young man.  He approaches every new skill like a cross between Yosemite Sam and the Tasmanian Devil (see aforementioned references to karate).  It takes extreme concentration for him to simply pull the flag during a game and not also mow the other player over entirely.  By the end of his game on Saturday he had knocked over two kids, both of them on his team.  On our way home, as we were rehashing all of the highlights from the game, I told Michael he needed to watch his roughness or the coach would make him sit out.  And here was his actual response...

"Mom, I just can't help it.  It's just that my karate makes me so powerful and I can't control my powers!"

Right. 

I remember when I started as the youth director and I was constantly in this dual position of being totally amazed and totally frustrated with the youth around me.  How bright and funny and wonderful they were!  What talent they possessed and charisma!  And yet, how obnoxious!!  One boy I knew had the most infectious personality.  If he was in a good mood we'd have a great day.  But if he was in a bad mood he would take everyone around him down with him.  I learned quickly that they key to any great gift is to harness its power for good.  The Spiderman Theory, I like to call it.  With great power comes great responsibility.  Michael's intensity is indeed a gift, when pointed in the right direction. 

"You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill can not be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:14-16

Your talents are no accident.  They are your own unique opportunities to do good.  I'll never forget the woman at my church that stood up and talked about her love for animals during a stewardship campaign.  I had never considered that ministry operated so much outside the church that it could extend to animal shelters, but she was so right!!  Ministry is everywhere.  Use what you've got to make a difference.  Whether its your child, a volunteer at school, a coworker or a family member.  Maybe that someone who is driving you crazy is just another person with amazing potential that needs pointed in the right direction.

Lord, helpful me to be mindful of my own gifts, that I have them pointed in the right direction, so that others would see your glory through me.  And help me to point my own children in the right direction, to show them how to honor you through their gifts, that Your Light would shine through them.  Amen. 

I love you, Michael.....you big goober.  I love you.

 

 

XOXO...Kelly