"Do you have to run your miles this week?" This is my husband asking J, our sixth grader, about PE over dinner.
"No, Dad. I don't have to. I get to," J says with a wink. So of course I ask what's up with that.
Turns out, my sons' PE and track coach has a way with words. When the boys at school complain about [insert unpleasant PE-related activity here], he replies, "No guys, you don't have to--you get to!"
J is rolling his eyes while he tells me this, but the truth is that he absolutely adores Coach Ross. So does M. And I can tell you why--this young man sees his students as his mission field. Every day he is excited to see those boys, to help them improve, to watch them grow. Middle school boys. I don't know how he does it, but I am so grateful that he does!
The funny thing is that Coach Ross is right. Try it. The other night I got up from the dinner table. "I have to do the dishes" became "I get to do the dishes." And so I thought about the blessings I have--the food my husband ably provides, a lovely home to enjoy a meal in, my sweet kids gathered around the table. Heck, hot clean water to wash with, and a dishwasher to really get things clean. My life is full and it just took changing one word to see it even more clearly.
1 comment:
ooh, I like this. We've been struggling a bit with the homeschool schedule, and perhaps I can use this to change some attitudes come Monday.
Post a Comment