I remained sitting in an awkward squat and leaned to the right before adjusting my foot. I kept my knees bent as my left foot wiggled carefully so I didn't fall. Finally, I stood all the way up and cautiously stepped backward on the high balance beam. It took me several walks down the beam before I felt semi-comfortable.
I had not been on top of a real balance beam in many years, but it was parents' night at my daughter's gymnastics class. To our children's delight, parents who were willing to sign a release waiver were allowed to participate with their kids during class.
Even though I stretch and do minor exercises daily, I am out of shape. I've never been very flexible despite taking gymnastics and dance classes for most of my childhood. This evening was not about me showing off my skills or worrying about the aches I'd suffer for the next few days. It was for my daughter, for her seeing me try, for her teaching me, for making a memory, and for building our relationship.
That's not to say that I didn't gain anything from joining her. I was reminded about the fear of falling and the difficulties of training your muscles and brain to cooperate.
She loved my cartwheel that I can still do well, and I loved how much she's progressed over the past nine months. She had less fear on the beam, better form on the floor tricks, and more strength in her attempted handsprings and flips.
Next year, she'll be ready for some competitions. I'm sure we'll be watching Team USA all summer to get her in the Olympic spirit. In fact, I probably will still be taking ibprophen by the time we're watching gymnastics from Tokyo in a couple months. I really am out of shape.
Heaven is in our relationship. It's the connection of two people made in the image of God.
If you ever get the chance, join your kids. You'll learn how to cheer them on. They'll learn how to correct mistakes kindly. You'll remember what it's like to be little. They'll remember that you were there with them.
Do a cartwheel. Play catch. Go down the slide. Get in the pool. Climb the tree. Paint a picture. And do it all for the glory of God.
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4 (AMP)
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