What I learned about myself while playing a board game at
Sky Ranch
Family Camp
Four years ago, our family went to Sky Ranch family camp for the
first time. (I could write a book
about how totally awesome it is, and why everyone should go, but this is about
a game that taught a life lesson and the growth that came as a result)
Nights at family camp are fun! They are what my ideal home
nightlife would be: technology free and filled with communication, interaction,
learning, and new experiences. It was one of those nights at camp - our family
was introduced to a board game called Jokers and Marbles. I immediately thought
I had an advantage because it was similar to the old game (WaHoo) I grew up
playing.
Our two older boys, my husband, Steven, myself, and four other
people played. Steven is a coach so it's in him to be competitive. But on
this night we had to play as individuals; after all, we were still learning the
game. Steven doesn't normally like to play board games. They aren't physically
challenging, so they aren't as appealing to him. But he is still competitive. We
happened to casually know a few of the people we were playing with, so the
competitive "trash talking" was at a minimum. In the course of
playing, some things were said, by me, toward my husband that was not kind. I
made him feel disrespected in front of strangers and people we knew, not to
mention our kids. They may not recall anything unusual happening, but I did. I
could feel my husband's glare from across the table. I may have won the game,
but I had lost a different kind of battle. My conscience wouldn't stop
talking in my head. It was actually the Holy Spirit gently whispering. But
I was silent on the outside. If you are married, you know the silence I speak
of. We played a game that brought out my true sinful nature. It was ugly.
Later, I was reading in Ephesians 5 and pondered about my love for
my husband and my kids. I was reminded
of how in marriage, “two become one.”
After that board game, we felt like two again! (That’s what happens when two strong-willed,
stubborn people fall in love.) We have bumps in the road. Even with all our
imperfections, the Lord, in His tenderness, is able to remind us through His
Holy Spirit that we are on the same team.
I
remember playing basketball in Jr. high and high school. In our love of the
game, and competitive spirit, we would sometimes grab the ball and fight for it
while a teammate did the same. Then our
teammates would yell, “Same team! Same
team!” I love that! The aggression and passion for the game is
contagious!
As
a couple, we have the same love for the game of life, sometimes, we go at each
other, and we have to stop and remind ourselves we are on the same team! That
night I felt the need to apologize to my husband for my competitive nature. While
being competitive is good, it has to be contained, and always under the
submission of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
We
made up. Though it is not always fun, it is always good when we are willing to
humble ourselves, admit our faults and work on becoming a better version of
ourselves with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Dear
Lord, Thank you for reminding me in your perfect timing and perfect will, that
your ways are not our ways. Your thoughts
are not our thoughts. Help my thoughts and my ways to become more like yours,
every day. Be the center of my marriage, so my husband and I can be a team for
our children. We want to raise them to make an impact for their generation. Help
us to impact them by being a team in our marriage.
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