b"Running the RaceHow Does Competition EQUATE TO LIFEBy Betsy Lemairehowfastdouwannab@gmail.com, facebook.com/Willnunnp3, youtube.com/user/howfastdouwannabW hat does raising a kid in rodeo or sports do for them?family we have. He knows all things, so He also knows whereWe have to teach the younger generations to control their Did we learn anything about life when we grew up inwe live and who we have as friends and what we love and the middle of it as kids? Were we just after the win anddislike. These are just things the Bible talks about but I don'temotions. We cannot always do what we want and we cannot the gold buckle? How can a parent teach a kid to deal with thewant to completely get off on another subject. always say what is on our mind. This is where the Bible talks pressure and about winning and losing? We are all going toabout self-control. it says the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, win and we are all going to lose at some point whether it is inWhen we compete as kids our parents have an option topeace, patience, meekness, kindness, goodness, faithfulness rodeo or a sport. Gosh, we are going to lose and have pressureteach us things . and those things are not all about the gameand self-control. Notice that love is at the beginning and self-on ourselves in life as well.and following directions or how to win. These are goodcontrol is at the end. I believe that is because you cannot love things but what I am speaking of goes much deeper. I knowwithout having self-control and you cannot have self-control I have been thinking a lot about these things this week. Athat not all kids that play soccer when they are tiny are goingwithout love. I had my kids memorize this before they ever person in my life in the past believed that rodeo and sportsto go on to be competitive and that's fine. Not all kids havewent to preschool. Am I the mother of the year? No, I just were just idols in our American lives. This person made methat edginess and grown-ups don't always have that either.know that the Bible says to train up a child in the way they almost believe this as well. Their thought process was whatWhen is it that we teach a kid that they don't always get whatshould go and when they are old they will not depart from it. I is the point of all of this and why put so much time, energy,they want? Most kids, when they are little, are just happyhope and pray this for my kids. money, love for the sport and love for the animals into it.to be there and then there are truly some with the eye of They also thought that all the money and energy could go tothe tiger. My oldest has the eye of the tiger. It didn't matterSo when you are in a situation in your personal life and you help people that really needed help. Let me tell you, I havewhat he put his hand to, he was very gifted and talentedwalk in love, even if someone has hurt you you will be able to had a lot of years to ponder this person's point of view andathletically. He was aggressive, he was a team player and heuse self-control and vice versa. We can also liken this to the form my rebuttal to it. was respectful of his coaches, referees and the authoritiesarena. If something happens out there that you feel is wrong, over him. This kid played soccer and they asked him to tourtowards you or another, you can salt it with love and self-While I can completely understand where they are comingthe world at about age 9-10. The coach even told me thatcontrol. If the ground is bad and your horse falls, if your steer from I also believe that God put different gifts and talents inthere was another kid that played just as well but didnt havesets up and they don't give you another, if they flag you out for each and every one of us to the point that we all have a certainthe attitude that Wyatt did and that's why they picked him.cross firing, or they don't mark you as high as you think they bend towards something. I believe He also put us with theHe did not go but that's beside the point. He was an amazingshould in the rough stock, how do you handle that?basketball player and an even better swimmer. He went to nationals for archery as well. The kid was so much fun toHopefully you use love and self-control. Have faith that you watch and so much fun for the coaches because he gave it hiswill get your turn. Use wisdom and respect when you talk all at practice or in competition. I have seen this kid do someto your authorities. Be a class act and remember you are amazing things for other kids. He has a great heart and goodrepresenting yourself as well as your family and quite possibly character. Has he made all the right choices in life? No. butthe Lord. There is a time to step up and confront an issue but neither have I. just take a deep breath and let it out slowly before you open your mouth. Practice it every day so when the chips are down My point here is that we as parents need to use sports toit's already something that is in your everyday life.teach our kids about the pressures of life. We need to teach them to have ice water in their veins. I have often thoughtOh, by the way, I recently started Lemaire Pet Sitting in how when something absolutely off the wall crazy happens,Wickenburg in addition to continuing to ride outside horses. on y I become extremely eerily calm. I think things through andUntil next time. Be blessed in 2023. T Pmost times I do not just react with rage. As my dad would e say, I use my head.The thing with sports or rodeo is that hwe have so much pressure on us when we compete that we need to be able to bring the things we have learned in that 2nd Hand Store arena to the arena of life. I know that obviously once a person gets older they will make their choices and decide how they project themselves in the world. We are going to make We Collect & Delivermistakes. It's inevitable but hopefully we have taught these kids to be winners as people and to be humble. We have Your Merchandise taught them that the kids to be friends with aren't always FREE LOCAL DELIVERY AVAILABLE going to be winners in the arena but they are the ones that are winners in their heart and are kind. I know I am getting a 662 W. Wickenburg Waybit sappy here and I want you to know that I want my kid to WickenburgOpen MondaySaturday win as much as the next guy but I am also glad to see another kid win when they thepony2ndhandstore.com have earned it. 928-231-2730928-232-2019We Carry Quality 2nd Hand & New MerchandiseYour Home Furniture Supplies Store BETSY LEMAIRE BARREL HORSESSpecializing in Appliances SalesTrainingLessonsJane and Peter Kibble Lemaire Pet Sittingpony2ndhandstore@outlook.com 928-231-6184howfastdouwannab@gmail.com30 January 2023"