Confidence

Two weeks ago if you had taken a picture of Grace at her softball game, it would have been a grumpy and frustrated little girl. She has been really trying to get over her fears of swinging the bat at her games. She doesn't like that all the people are watching her hit and gets embarassed when she strikes out. We try to explain to her that most of the girls on her team ARE striking out. They are only 8. And let's face it, at 8....there is much room for improvement.

Well, last week it all seemed to click for this little girl. The coach had worked with her a bunch on how she stands at the plate and how to lift her leg as she is swinging. It must have worked, because she is creaming that ball now. Two games over the weekend, and she did so good. I am so proud of her. And the best part, she is proud of herself. You can tell when she smiles, when she talks about it, and when she get's her stuff together hours before her game starts, "Just so I am ready" she tells me. I love it. Love to see her succeed. To stick with something and have it pay off. Not every thing she tries will turn out like this. There will be times where it just never does come together. And that is ok. Confidence is a tricky thing. I think everyone struggles with it.

As much as I would love to pick up my sword and slay the dragons of self-doubt and self-esteem issues for her....I know this is something I have to let her figure out. The best thing I can do is let her see a mom who has been on quite a journey to feel good in my own skin. To love myself....flaws and all. If I can show her where my confidence lays, than hopefully I can light the runway as she tries to naviagte her own plane through the storms of life. And I have no doubt that this girl is going to land that plane...with confidence. (Proverbs 3:26 - "For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.")