Raising an Athlete: What Matters Most Beyond the Game
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."
— Colossians 3:23
There are moments I find myself sitting in the stands and realize I'm witnessing something much bigger than a basketball game.
I'm watching God shape the heart of a young man.
My son loves basketball. He dreams of playing Division I someday, and I love watching him pursue that dream. I want him to work hard, compete with excellence, and use every gift God has given him.
I don't know whether basketball will take my son to a Division I court or simply become one chapter of his story. Either way, I pray these years shape his heart far more than they shape his jump shot.
I also want him to remember this:
Basketball is a gift, but it can never become his god.
I want him to love the game, but never more than the One who gave him the ability to play it.
One day the final buzzer will sound for the last time. The trophies will gather dust, the uniforms will be folded away, and the gym lights will eventually turn off. What will remain is the person he has become.
That's why the conversations after the game matter more than the final score.
Instead of asking, "How many points did you score?" I want to ask:
Were you a great teammate?
Did you give your best?
What did you learn today?
His identity isn't in the starting lineup, a scholarship offer, or a highlight reel. His identity is found in Christ, and that truth never changes.
One day I'll miss the constant bouncing of a basketball on our hardwood floors, the worn basketball shoes by the door, the conversations we have on the ride home after games, and the way our home has been filled with the sounds of a boy chasing a dream.
Until then, my prayer isn't simply that my son becomes the best basketball player he can be.
It's that he becomes the man God created him to be.
Along the way, we've also learned a few practical things that make long tournament days and practices a little easier.
Practical Favorites For the Journey
While none of these things define an athlete, they've made countless practices, tournaments, and travel days a little easier for our family.
Slides - I learned early on that basketball shoes are only for the court, so slides help protect their traction and keep them game-ready.
Basketball shoes - Shoes are a personal choice, but my son currently loves playing in the Kobe 8 Protro "Year of the Horse."
Water bottle - A lightweight bottle with a covered lid keeps germs off the spout and is easy to grab during games and practices.
Pickle juice - We always keep pickle juice in the bag because it's our go-to when muscle cramps strike.
Sticky shoe spray - A quick spray helps restore traction by removing dust from the soles during long days on the court.
Applesauce pouch - After seeing a huge bin of applesauce pouches at a college basketball game, they've become one of our favorite quick energy snacks between games.
Rooted Notes
As I watch my son chase his dream, I quietly pray another prayer alongside it:
"Lord, let him love You even more than he loves basketball."
Because if that prayer is answered, every other success will simply be a blessing—not his identity.
Let’s Pray Together
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the opportunity to watch our children grow through sports. Help us remember that while wins and losses come and go, the character You are shaping in them lasts forever.
Give our children hearts that honor You, whether they experience success or disappointment. Teach them to work hard, encourage their teammates, compete with humility, and trust You with every outcome.
As parents, give us wisdom to cheer loudly, love unconditionally, and point them back to You no matter what the scoreboard says.
May these years build faith, perseverance, and character that will serve them long after the final whistle.
Amen.
May our children always find their identity in Christ, and may every gift—including basketball—point them back to Him. Because the greatest victory isn't found on the scoreboard; it's found in the heart God is shaping along the way.
Rooted in faith. Gathered in love.
-Heather