THIS ARTICLE IS A READER FAVORITE AND WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN JULY 2010.

I wonder if I’m the only mama out there who has fretted over the fact that her son doesn’t enjoy sports? Or even particularly like them?

While my boy will watch his favorite team, he would rather do almost anything than actually play for one. He loves to be outdoors (riding his bike, going to the beach or the park), and enjoys throwing a ball around with his family, but that’s about it. As far as joining a team sport? Not so much.

As he aptly put it, “Mama, sports just aren’t my thing.”

And I’m good with that. Now.

But not always. I have tried subtly, and not so subtly, to force the issue. I have wondered if non-participation in this typical boy interest means he isn’t boy enough or strong enough or tough enough to make it in this tough-as-nails world.

But then God came along and did what He always does, because He is never content to leave me where I am. So, He takes my messed up human logic and removes the worldly filter I too often insist on looking through.

While I sometimes wish my son enjoyed sports more, I can truthfully say his lack of interest doesn’t bother me. His dad and I have core values we want to instill in our children, and sports aptitude isn’t on the list. What is?

• A heart sold out for Jesus.

• A joyful servant’s heart.

• Solid, godly character.

• A strong work ethic towards the gifts or talents God gives.

The living and active God created our son’s personality, interests, strengths, and weaknesses for a reason. He created them in our specific child for a specific purpose. As his parents, it is my job and my husband’s job to cultivate these things that God placed in his heart, not the things we or anybody else think he should be doing.

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” — Proverbs 22:6

While this verse is often used to describe a spiritual upbringing, I believe it also applies to a child’s natural bent. If we train our child in the way God designed him, then our child will not depart from it. He will flourish because he is living out His calling.

I look at stars in their millions, oceans in countless shades of blue, and flowers in varying colors and scents. Do I believe God made a mistake with those? That He should have created those differently?

Heck, no!

Why should I try to re-wire God’s handiwork of my child? It is an act of obedience to trust that God has hardwired my son the way he needs to be.

The way he was created to be.

Do you ever wish your boys showed aptitude at something clearly not in His design for them?

Kristen Strong is originally an Oklahoma girl but has traveled far and wide with her Air Force husband of 20 years. Kristen and David have 3 precious young’uns, twin sons and a daughter. She is a forever work-in-progress whose current refining location is Colorado. You can find more of her writing at www.chasingblueskies.net and as one of the monthly bloggers at (in)courage, the blog of DaySpring.