What watching my children play sport taught me about Jesus

Some five years ago, in the haze of lockdown, I received a message from former editor, Tola-Doll, inviting me to write for this magazine. It was a marker of a time that feels close and yet far away. 

Fast forward five years, and I find that summers with my family are often spent outdoors. I love the scent of freshly cut grass, jasmine floating on the breeze, long walks in the woods and, of course, lots of cricket matches! So much of the joy of being a mother lies in the quiet moments, the exchanges of love that cannot always be explained in words but are deeply felt in the heart. This extends to watching our children take part in the things they love and seeing them grow in confidence. Cricket is that sport for our boys, and I’ve observed that it’s a gentle education of the heart. Beyond runs and wickets, it teaches patience, humility, courage and resilience. The quiet bravery required after a golden duck is a life lesson in itself.

Summer and sport go hand in hand, and the core of sport is fairness and spirit – especially at the junior level – yet the desire to win can sometimes grow louder than the deeper purpose of playing. That is where we, as parents, are invited to pause and ask what example we are setting. The best moments in sport are less about winning and more about character, kindness, resilience and belonging. We hope our children will be strong, but not hard. Brave, but not unkind. Competitive, but still generous of spirit. The hope is that all children engage in sports, make friends in the process – and remember where they left their water bottles!

Proverbs 15:1 reminds us: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” These words resonate, especially in regard to children’s sport, where emotions can rise quickly, and perspective can disappear like a ball through the slips. There is a quality in elite sport that is often overlooked: grace. Grace is choosing not to add more noise to an already noisy moment. Grace is taking a breath before speaking, choosing compassion over judgment and trusting that kindness is not weakness.

Cricket is a game of fine margins defined by grace. A mistimed shot, a dropped catch, a ball that nips just enough to take the edge all require humility and grace to get back on track. And then there is sledging, that curious blend of humour and provocation. Even here, there is a line. The spirit of the game calls for respect, even in rivalry. Shake hands at the end, look one another in the eye and begin again.

Watching from the boundary, I am often reminded of Jesus, who embodied a different kind of strength altogether. Not forceful or defensive, but deeply rooted, calm and full of grace. In John 1:14 we are told: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus welcomed those on the margins, saw beyond appearances and responded with compassion, courage and love.

At the close of a match, there is always a pause. A breath. A chance to gather what was learned and leave behind what was not needed. Cricket, like life, is played in chapters. Some innings are short, others long and hard won, but all shape us in profound ways we often only understand afterwards. When one chapter closes, another begins. I hope your summer is wonderful, and that a new chapter in the great outdoors opens for you, too. Happy summer sunshine!

With love,

Sinead x

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of summer and for all its wonders, including its fragrance which brings hope and happiness to our hearts. Loving Father, guide us towards good choices and honesty, and open our hearts and eyes to truth and authenticity.

Protect us, Lord, from the harbingers of dishonesty and betrayal, and restore us to serenity so that we may forgive those who harm us, and give us the strength to bear witness to all that is true and good.

We pray that all children trust that their worth is not measured by performance but by character.

Guide us towards gentleness when the easier path might be defensiveness or force.

In You, our loving Father, we place our trust, our hopes and our dreams. We are eternally grateful for Your love and guidance.

Direct us, Lord, so that we may carry Your word and live beautiful and holy lives always.

Forever and ever,

Amen.