What’s the best gift for an athlete this Christmas?

It’s Christmas Eve. Presents are wrapped and under the tree and stockings are stuffed. But the best gift for an athlete is not under the tree or in the stockings. Nor is it hidden in the garage. Not even parked on the street.

The best gift you can give your athlete is something you can’t put in a box. But it is something you can pour into his heart.

The best gift you can give your athlete this Christmas–and every day of the year–is your unconditional love.

Love that is not based on how many points he scores in the basketball game.

Love that persists if she plays 5 sets of volleyball or 1…or none.

Love that expresses pride even if he doesn’t get a homerun…or even a hit.

Love that says, “you worked hard today; I’m proud of you” even when she thinks she didn’t do so good.

Love that recognizes the effort and the sacrifice of your young athlete, not just the points scored and the time played.

This kind of love takes work; it’s much easier and more natural to focus on the results produced by our young athletes because that’s what everyone else notices, that’s what’s featured in the newspapers and on local TV.

But this unconditional love based, not on your child’s performance, but on HIM, is the best gift you can ever give your child.

Unwrap your heart this holiday and be sure your child knows that this gift is his.

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photo credit: FutUndBeidl via photopin cc

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