Craig Clouston

Call It Like It Is

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…

Ecclesiastes 9:10

The tag was applied just as the boy slid into second base…“You’re out!” came the umpire’s call.

In the bleachers, the sliding boy’s parents audibly rejected the call. They were sure their son was safe. “We want a replay!” came their ardent cry.

This being the Little League World Series, the game was being broadcast live and cameras had been watching. Wanting to make sure the call had been correct, play was halted as the footage was reviewed. The tape showed the sliding boy’s foot more than three inches from the bag as the shortstop’s glove made contact with his leg.

But the parents refused to give up, “That was too close to call. He should have been given the benefit of the doubt!” they hollered. Cleary, they didn’t want their son to be penalized for coming up short; they refused to accept the call despite the overwhelming evidence against them.

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Very close does not equate to good enough. When we fall short of the mark that’s just what it is. Yet, we have coddled a societal mindset that believes to tell a child they’ve fallen short is the equivalent of calling them a failure.

This “Don’t call my child a loser” ideology has fostered a world system where no one is permitted to excel. Hence, we are telling our children it’s impossible to fail by not calling them out when evidence dictates we should. And in doing so, we thwart their will to achieve.  

By facing the truth that he had fallen short, the slider would, by nature, strive to do better the next time. When we rob him of this lesson we tell him there is no reason to try for better results. And therefore, his efforts will not be rewarded above a certain level. It’s just too painful to let him experience the sting that could spur him to greatness.  

Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, says striving is what we are meant to do. Don’t cheat your children out of their natural will to achieve. Call it like it is.

Prayer

“Lord, help me teach my children to try harder when they fall short of the mark instead of shielding them from temporary disappointment. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”