Finding Faith ... in two kids seizing life

Sometimes our teenagers' hormones make them barely tolerable cohabitants of our house. And then there are days like yesterday and today that bring me near tears because I'm so proud of them.

Ava and her horse, Rocky.

So today our Ava had her first real competitive barrel race on her new horse. She'd participated in some "fun" horse events the last year and a half, but this event was strictly gritty, competitive barrel racing women and teens. It was tough, and although it didn't go as planned, she's already set her mind that she's ready to get back to the barn for more practice so that can improve in two weeks.

Our girl that is so intimidated by so much in the world decided after today's runs that a little adversity wasn't going to stop her. She know she's in her heart that the horse life is her life, and she's going to fight for it.

After the past few years of ups and downs this gentle heart has endured, today was a milestone for her. And it makes me immensely proud of her.

And then there's Carter. On Friday, I was able to watch him play basketball for the first time since last July.

After a very emotional decision in October to forgo going out for school ball, Carter joined his best friends in a local recreational league known as "Church League." And it is true to its name: It's operated by a coalition of area churches, and it's big. There are dozens of teams, and they find themselves playing late on Friday and Saturday nights in unused high schools and in empty church gyms.

But don't feel bad for these kids because they have the time of their lives!

Carter dropped out of school ball last fall because he was tired of the pressure and the fact that basketball was no longer fun. He looked at the winnowing opportunities in a sport where only five to seven kids in 100-kid program will ever get varsity playing time, and he didn't want that defining his success. So he made a decision at 17 years old that I could never have made. He opted out. He chose "no" to the artificial hype and said "yes" to fun.

And then I saw him play for the first time in a church league game last night, and it was amazing!

Both teams gathered before the game, took a knee and listened to the game administrator explain how "Church League" was different. And then a pastor prayed before the game started.

And guess what, there wasn't one technical the entire game. In fact, the refs didn't once raise their voices and there wasn't one time that a kid contested a ref's call. There was no coach steaming up and down the sidelines, yelling and screaming because ... the kids coach themselves or talk a friend into being "coach."

And every kid on the team, regardless of talent level got equal playing time. And when the more skilled players were on the bench, they joyfully helped coach their teammates with less experience.

Best of all, not one parent shouted anything from the sidelines but encouragement, and both teams cheered for each other when a good play was made.

I have not seen Carter smile or belly laugh in a basketball game since 8th grade, three years ago. And last night his smile was electric!!! I finally saw the kid again who had loved playing basketball since 3rd grade.

So, that's what is making this father's heart sing tonight. I'm so proud of these two for taking that very difficult road less traveled. It hasn't been easy for either of them, but seeing how their decisions have paid off these past two days makes me overjoyed. This is one happy papa, and a parent who has learned from his kids, a valuable lesson about chasing dreams.