Such was the last session of a five-day youth basketball camp Micah attended this week. I worked through lunch and took a break early afternoon to watch the final day. Micah really wanted to show off his skills. He was the first youngster to rush to the center of the court and sit down at the coach's request. He hustled through all of the exercises -- dribbling forward and backward, carefully navigating around tiny fluorescent hubcaps, sprinting across the court.
I couldn't help but admire his persistence. Granted, he's my oldest son and I beamed when I saw how he respected and honored his coach by listening and following instructions. But beyond that, Micah and all of his teammates impressed on me the value of youthful energy and stick-to-it spirit. Sure, some of them cried and needing consoling. I do that at least a handful of times each week. But they entered the court on a strong note, all smiles and jibber-jabber.
If you are on the adoption journey -- or thinking about it -- you might be getting close to the point of quitting. It's too much work. It's emotionally painful. What if things don't work out? It's so much paperwork. So many phone calls. Meeting after meeting.
But think of the payoff. Consider what it feel like to hold your baby. Imagine the first time you kiss that warm little head. Think of the joy.
There are few guarantees. You will fall down and bruise like the children on the court today.
Yet if you persist and continue walking toward your adoption dream, you will find you are a little closer every day. If you have a few shoulders to cry on along the way, even better.
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