Now, there's nothing wrong with sitting the bench. Many a game has been won on the basis of a deep, talented bench. Just look at how Terry Francona managed his bullpen, particularly during the 2004 playoffs and World Series. It made all the difference. But normally he is a starting Varisty midfielder. But he didn't play one minute.
You see, he missed practice the day before the game. It was Labor Day weekend. After his game on Thursday before the holiday weekend, coach gave them Friday off. He only heard coach say "Game on Tuesday" and missed the "practice on Monday" part. Now, Dad and I were pretty sure there had to be practice in there somewhere before the game tonight, but he was adamant that there wa
sn't. On Monday morning, I checked the school's website to see if practice had been posted. It hadn't, but that wasn't unusual...they don't usually post the last minute changes.Strangely enough, hubby and I didn't discuss it...we just did what we did...we were both on the same page without planning it, which is why I believe the Hand of God was in this situation. We did not call the coach ourselves, we did not even make him call his coach. We asked him about 16 times each if he was sure, which of course, he was. So, we gave him the rope.....
This son has a bit of a "golden boy" complex happening. He is handsome, blonde, talented and a really good kid. People have always loved him, including his coaches. Which is all great, but he has begun to develop an attitude of invincibility and entitlement...and a dash of irresponsibility. "Everything takes care of itself, I don't need to make plans, get details, co-operate..." It was getting frustrating. So, we gave him the rope....
At 7:30 p.m. on Monday, he got a call from his coach. His face was stricken. He had missed practice. On the day before a game. We didn't know at that time that the school policy was that he wouldn't be able to play for the entire game. We told him that he probably wouldn't start. (We're homeschoolers, we don't pay much attention to school rules!) And we felt this was probably the best lesson we could teach him, even if it was difficult.
When he got to the game, he (unbeknownst to hubby and me) asked to speak to the coach privately. He took full responsibility for the mix-up and humbly and sincerely apologized to the coach. There were tears in his eyes when he found out that school policy said that he couldn't play at all. (The coaches had consulted the A.D. to try to get him some playing time, but it wasn't possible) He sat on the bench, cheering his teammates on to victory. He leaped from the bench the instant the final whistle sounded to join his teammates in celebrating their win. He met us on the sidelines without attitude, but in humility and acceptance of the lesson learned. It was a hard lesson, not only for him, but for his dad and me, also. Honestly, if we had known that he would have to sit out the entire game, we probably would have interfered a little more and made him double check about practice. (Non-interference is not normally the way we operate:))
But I believe His Heavenly Father took this situation and in His love and mercy "worked it for the good" for my son. I am more proud of him for the manly, humble, noble manner in which he dealt with this disappointment, than if he had won the game by himself. A great deal of maturity was gained on this night. The virtues of humility, honesty, patient endurance, and more were practiced this night. I have seen a glimpse of the man he will become, and I am so proud.
