I see him beaming tonight.

But it didn’t start here.

First, I see him in the stands, game after game, practice after practice.

I hear the shouts, the ‘keep going, you got this.’

I hear him give tips, ‘try this, do that instead.’

I see him notice how much Tate loves the game.

I hear him all the time, ‘not in the house dude, no bouncing balls in the house.’

I see him noticing Tate’s love of the game growing, the hunger to be better, stronger, more accurate.

I see him stop and take him for some one on one time, just them together…dropping the list of ‘do’s’— teaching him the best way, the way that only a daddy can teach.

I see Tate putting the tips to work…applying it to his game. Each and every word of dad’s instructions, he clings to… Applying, treasuring, remembering, and doing; and never failing to glance at the sideline after the touchdown to see if Dad saw.

‘Just one more game of horse, dad.’

Just one more ride; one more tackle, one more game of catch.

I see a kid who will never forget or take for granted his times with Dad.

He shines on the court, and on the field. Not from pride or arrogance… but from love. Tate knows the win or loss, tackle or miss, in the basket or off the backboard… it’s not the main thing.

His time with dad is what is shining.

And even brighter than his win, is a Dad beaming from the stands.

There’s got to be nothing greater as a Dad, than to see his kid listen and get it… for the child to see the fruit, the proof, the evidence, that always comes from listening to his daddy.

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Makes me think about our heavenly Father.

How proud He must be when He sees it click in us.

When we start to really listen to Him.

When we finally see it’s not about our do’s and don’t s…our wins, or tackles, our free throw points.

It’s about being fully open to trust and reveal our deepest us before the Father…to be safe being known.

Believing and receiving and listening and knowing what God’s already given, and tasting the fruit thereof…

Friend, God is standing on the sidelines, sitting in the stands, cheering from the crowd, for YOU.

He will always be your Biggest Fan.

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