A TOUCHDOWN FOR MITCHELL

Every little boy needs to be encouraged. That's the problem with many who are parents. They just don't know how to "lift up" their children; they spend all of their time explaining what the child has done wrong. That's a dangerous method.

We went to one of the peewee football games recently. The 1st and 2nd graders offer a wide variety of entertainment. It is very difficult for these youngsters to understand the intricacies of the game. (I've noticed the same is often true for the Dallas Cowboys.) But, I digress.

My grandson Mitchell, a 1st grader, was playing defensive linebacker and offensive wide out. During the first half he did a lot of dancing around on defense, and he seemed to be lost about what he was to do. His dad finally gave him some good instructions, and he began to "grab hold" and make some contact with the runners. He was actually involved in some tackles for the team.

Mitchell's team was ahead 7-0 when the other team finally scored, and then they went for the 1 point running conversion. Mitchell did his job as they ran towards his side of the field. He grabbed the runner and held on for dear life until other players could join in the pile and the stop on the 2 yeard line. I don't think he realized that he had stopped the extra point, but he was happy to be playing with the other little boys.

Mitchell's team was running out the clock. They had one final play. All of the parents assumed a "knee" to the ground, but the coach of the mighty Columbus Cardinals had one last play up his sleeve. His quarterback dropped back one big step and heaved the first pass of the game into Mitchell's waiting arms, and Mitchell was off "weaving" through the desperate defense into the end zone for the winning touchdown. WOW.

You can just see it in the eyes of a young boy who does something right. He knows it. His parents know it. His GMom and GDad know it. He begins to understand some of the accomplishments of life. That's encouragement. Little boys like to please their parents. Help them with homework . . take them to church . . say positive things to them. They'll get it.