Basketball Blues

[bluidkiti]

Basketball Blues

Ben yanked the door open, bounded into the house, and fell dramatically into an overstuffed chair in the living room. Behind the newspaper, Dad's mouth twitched as he watched his son from the corner of his eye. Then he asked his usual before-supper question. "So, Ben, how was your day?"

"Fine," muttered Ben as he stared out the window.

Dad folded the newspaper and laid it down. "Want to talk?" he asked.

Ben opened his mouth as if to speak, but then closed it, changing his mind. A moment later, he sighed. "I didn't make the basketball team," he said.

"I didn't know you were going out for the team," said Dad. "I didn't think you liked playing basketball."

"No, but . . ." Ben shrugged. "All my friends are on the team," he said.

"I see," said Dad, reaching over to pick up a sculpture of a bird. He looked thoughtful as he turned it around it his hands. "So will your friends like you less if you're not on the team?" he asked.

"Not really, but I want to fit in with them-and hang out with them," replied Ben.

"You mean you want to be like them?" asked Dad. Ben nodded. "Well, what if your friends decided to rob a bank, would you still want to be like them?"

Ben laughed. "Of course not, Dad," he said, "but that's different. That would be doing something wrong. Playing basketball isn't wrong."

"True," agreed Dad, "but it is something you don't especially like to do. Why not concentrate on something you really enjoy?"

"Like what?" asked Ben. Then he noticed the sculpture his dad was holding. "You mean like art stuff?" he asked. "I made that bird in sixth grade art class."

"Apparently God didn't give you an interest in being a great basketball player," observed Dad, "but He did give you a gift for art-and you enjoy it."

"Yeah," agreed Ben. He took the bird and examined it closely. "You know, Dad, maybe I'll sign up for an art class next year."

"What about your friends?" asked Dad.

Ben laughed. "Maybe I'll carve a basketball for them."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you try to "fit in" with your friends-even if it means doing things you don't care about? God has given you special talents of your own. Are you good at writing? Gardening? Singing? Babysitting? Cleaning? Don't try to be what others are if it's not right for you. Be honest with yourself. Whatever your talent is, find it and use it for God's glory.

TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Do not neglect the gift that is in you. 1 Timothy 4:14
Keys for Kids Devotion