Playing Catch-Up 2

 

Once again, I am in the position of reading faster than I write.

 

And, once again, I find myself thankful.

Year of Wonders  

by Geraldine Brooks

2001

 

A historical novel borrowed from real-life events of plague-ridden 17^th century England: a village quarantines itself to stop the spread of disease.

 

I have really enjoyed Geraldine Brooks’ writing in the past (see Caleb's Crossing) and, initially, I loved this book too.

Historical detail, interesting characters, fascinating plot.

 

Then my opinion changed.

 

The characters I thought I knew turned a 180 and, instead of wrapping up as the book began, the book ended like an episode of Days of Our Lives.

 

It seemed to come out of nowhere and I felt blind-sided.

Let down.

 

Did I miss something?

Somehow I wish I did.

What this book really speaks to, however, is grace. Or the lack of it. 

 

 Wings of Dawn

by Sigmund Brouwer 

1995

 

Having only known Sigmund Brouwer as the writer of middle-grade hockey novels, I really wasn’t sure what to expect.

 

Wings of Dawn takes place in 14th-century England and is full of action, intrigue and wonderment. While I can’t really say that I love Mr. Brouwer’s writing style, what I can say is that he provided good, clean, adventuresome fun.

 

Exactly the kind of books I want to read.

 

Exactly the kind of books I want to write.

 

 

Winning Balance

by Shawn Johnson

2012

 

If you’ve read my post entitled, The Art of Pushing Too Hard, you’ll know I have a soft spot in my heart for gymnastics, so when I saw Winning Balance, I grabbed it.

 

I wasn’t let down. It was truly an engaging read.

 

Winning Balance is the autobiography of gymnast, and Olympic Gold Medalist, Shawn Johnson. As expected, Shawn talks about her life before, during and after gymnastics. The book ends as she attempts to make a comeback into the world of competitive gymnastics with the 2012 Olympic Trials.

 

Of course we know from the 2012 Summer Olympics, that Shawn withdrew from competition as a result of injury.

 

As interesting as it is, what sets Winning Balance apart from all the myriads of other gymnastics books on the market is the “Lesson I’ve Learned” section at the end of each chapter. These little nuggets give insight into the inner workings of the author and are truly wisdom to share.

 

Things like, “You need relationships as part of your life.” “Be humble…” “Stepping out of your comfort zone may be scary at first. But it’s worth the risk to see how far you can go.”

 

Shawn is also very open about her faith and she writes many things that would identify her as a Christian. I really appreciated that aspect of the book.

With a world full of fallen superstars, I am so thankful for those very few who can be considered healthy role models.

 

 

Reading on…

Soul Surfer

by Bethany Hamilton

2004

Ages ago, I heard about a young surfer who’d lost her arm in a shark attack.

I’d also heard this girl was back surfing again.

With one arm.

Then I heard this young, one-armed surfer girl was a Christian.  

And, I thought, that’s interesting.

Then I forgot about her.

This summer, however, I was reminded about Bethany Hamilton when my mother asked if I’d seen her movie.

No.

I checked the DVD out of the library.

Now, I’ve seen the movie, Soul Surfer, three times.

And I’ve read the book, also called Soul Surfer, on which the movie is based.

Soul Surfer was written about a year after the shark attack, when Bethany Hamilton was about 14 years old.

The book itself is not very long and it’s an easy read. That said, it is well-written and certainly encouraging. 

And, I should add, convicting.

I think what touches me the most about Bethany Hamilton’s story is how she trusted in God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11,

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

And His promise in Romans 8:28,

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Wow.

So the question I must ask myself is this:

Would I have the same trust if I went through a heart-wrenching trial of my own?

Reading on...

Defender of Faith

The Mike Fisher Story

by Kim Washburn

2011

Always on the lookout for good, wholesome “boy books”, I came across this Mike Fisher biography at our local Christian bookstore. Being that Son #1 is a big hockey guy, I snatched it up.

 

And, out of interest, I read it first.  

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the writing and by the quality of the guy. (A reader never knows these days.)

Cracking open the book, all I knew about Mike Fisher was that he currently plays with the National Hockey League (NHL), he’s supposedly a Christian, and that he recently married singer-songwriter, Carrie Underwood.

After reading Defender of Faith, I now know Mike Fisher plays for the Nashville Predators, he is a man who lives out his Christian faith on a daily basis, and he writes the reference Romans 12:12 on his stick before every game.

Defender of Faith is really only a short, 115 page middle-grade account of Mike Fisher’s life, but it is full of purpose. Throughout the book, Mike Fisher is quoted as saying things like,

“I wanted to experience this God that we all hear about. That’s where it became real for me. I knew I had to have a relationship with God to fulfill that inner peace of knowing I’m living my purpose, doing what God created me to do (pg 37)”.

“My parents always stressed faith as a central part of my life, and I grew to understand the importance of having a balance in life and finding a purpose through our Creator. I believe we are all gifted in certain areas and it’s our responsibility to use these gifts that God has given us for his glory (pg 17)”.

“...I try to use all of my abilities for God’s glory. That is my focus (pg 80).”

Things we are trying to instil in all our children, but especially our hockey-loving Son #1.

What better way to reinforce such important truths, than to hear (or read) them out of the mouth of a hero.

Great book.

Reading on...

The Art of Pushing Too Hard

A great love of mine, reaching far back into my childhood, is artistic gymnastics.

I spent a year or two in the gym then quit, believing it to be too costly for my parents.

I remember that conversation to this day. 

I regret that conversation to this day.

Several years later, I tried rhythmic gymnastics and, again, spent several years in the gym then coached a few more. Unsuccessfully, I might add.

However, for me “rhythmics” didn’t have quite the same pull.

Sigh, the trials of youth.

With that said I recently read two artistic gymnastic books and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of immersing myself in the world of the gym.

Letters to a Young Gymnast

by Nadia Comaneci

Basic Books

2004

Nadia Comaneci was my gymnastics hero, just like thousands of other aspiring gymnasts. 

One of my favourite movies growing up was, “Nadia”. I found it on You Tube and found it just as inspiring now as I did then. 

Note: Apparently the scene in the movie where Nadia drinks dish soap as a suicide attempt was stretched to add tension and drama.  

Letters to a Young Gymnast provides a glimpse into Nadia’s life as an elite gymnast in Romania and her new life in North America. Nadia also provides details of her defection to the United States – unreal.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Nadia’s experiences and truly felt sorry for her in parts. Life was not easy despite her national and international fame.

The book did not disappoint. 

Chalked Up

by Jennifer Sey

William Morrow/Harper Collins Publishers

2008

Until this autobiography, I had never heard of Jennifer Sey, the 1986 United States Gymnastics Champion.

While I thoroughly enjoyed her story, the experiences she detailed page after page totally took the romance out of elite gymnastics. Hers is a story of “merciless coaching, overzealous parents, eating disorders, and elusive Olympic dreams.”

Things no parent should want their child to experience. 

Reading her book did bring a certain question to mind...

What does pushing too hard look like? When does it happen?

When the rest of the family is propelled towards sacrifice for the sake of one child's aspirations...

When the child can't quit for fear of disappointing their parents...

When a child mutilates their body in the drive to succeed... 

I think the question of pushing too be hard can be asked of all parents of all children in activities. 

It is certainly not exclusive to gymnastics.

We recently asked ourselves this question with Number One Son. When is enough enough? 

For four years we poked and prodded him to attend music lessons, to practice music lessons, to love (or at least like) music lessons, until we finally gave up. 

We felt (and still do) that music adds depth to character never mind providing a very versatile and practical skill. 

Number One Son disagreed.

The pull he felt was to hockey.

I think there comes a time with all children when you have to let them give up on one activity in lieu of another. One can not be good at everything, and eventually comes the time to choose.

Which do they want to pursue?

If Number One Son wants to spend his time playing hockey instead of playing piano, so be it.

He did give piano four years, after all.

And he knows the minute he asks to go back, the door is open.

The fact is God has given us all unique and individual gifts. I believe one can worship God through playing hockey just as easily as through the piano. 

Just maybe not as traditional.

1 Corinthians 10:31

“So whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

If my Number One Son seeks to do his best at hockey to glorify God through helping his team, well then, he's in worship.

So, what about pushing within the activity they love?

Hockey is a terrific example.

In our city, all parents have to take an on-line course and sign their lives away agreeing to be respectful towards all players, coaches, refs, other parents, and, especially, their own child. 

Still, you regularly hear stories of parents who’ve failed.

Then, of course, there are all the signs and posters and emails about all the additional hockey and skating you, as a hockey parent, can sign your child up for. There are enough options to fill every nook of your child's time with hockey and the like.

As a hockey parent, the pull is certainly there. After all, you realize that the more practice time your child gets the better the team they'll end up on and the more competitive the games will be, and the cycle continues.

I know. I have felt it. 

I believe a sign of respect is not pushing your child too hard. Follow their lead. After all, pushing too hard will eventually back fire and your child will end up hating the activity they once loved.

So, my conclusion on the Art of Pushing Too Hard?

Pushing too hard is when a parent holds unrealistic expectations over their child.

Pushing too hard is when the parent forces their child to practice for the tenth (or even third) time that day.

Pushing too hard comes when a parent believes their child is the best and will do their activity professionally.

Pushing hard comes when a parent relives their youth through their child.

Pushing too hard when the parent forgets their child is still their child.

As a parent, there are times when it takes restraint to not push too hard or to hold your tongue. To let it be. Especially when I forget what really matters... 

As a parent, what should be the most important to me in all my child's activities?

That my child loves what they are doing.

That my child does their best at what they’re doing.

That my child glorifies God through what they are doing.

That my child is a light to others through what they are doing.

That my child feels my overwhelming love, encouragement and support, no matter how well they perform.

That is (part of) the Art of Parenting Well.

Reading on...