“I will instruct you and show you the way to go;
with My eye on you, I will give counsel.”
– Psalm 32:8

The most important profession in the world is parenting, the second is teaching. As coaches, that statement should stop us in our tracks every time we see it. To me, coaching is teaching. When I look through the rear-view mirror of my own experience, without question the most effective coaches were also the best teachers. While I’ve never played for a coach that didn’t want to win, the best coaches wanted more for me. Not only did they want me to be the best athlete I could be, they wanted me to be the best person I could be. Because of what they taught, I became a better son, a better brother, a better father, a better husband and a better citizen. Hall of Fame basketball coach, John Wooden said this, “I wanted my players to know I truly cared about them. I loved them all. I didn’t like them all. And some of them didn’t like me all the time. But today I’m closer to many of my players than I was when they played for me.”

God cares about us too. In His Word, God teaches us through wise instruction and counsel. He gives us the tools we need to make good decisions on whatever life may throw our way. Too often however, we want to do it our way. Scripture says, we are like the horse, restless to move ahead without command. Even worse, we are like the mule, who refuses to go even when directed. While God will always love us, He doesn’t always approve of the decisions we make. When we aren’t in tune with what God is teaching, He can and will discipline us to bring us back in line. Why? Because He cares. God sees a bigger picture. While we tend to focus on this life, God is preparing us to be citizens of heaven.

Father God, thank You for caring about me. Help me to see the wisdom of Your teaching. Teach me to follow Your guidance and counsel. Help me to accept Your discipline when I try to do it my own way. Amen.