"Play like your Father's Watching" by Bryan Cody

  My step dad was one of the coaches, but my real dad had nothing to do with me or the tram. No birthday's, no Christmas's, no presents or cards, nothing. So imagine my surprise as we're taking the field for a game one day and I see my real dad sitting in the bleachers. I was shocked and even though he hadn't been much of a father, I still wanted to make him proud. So that day, I played my heart out, and I KILLED IT! I got on base every time up to bat and almost hit a home run in the process!

  It was the best game I ever played, so when it was over I expected my dad to come tell me how great I did and how proud of me he was, but as I looked around for him, I realized he was gone. At some point during the game he had left, and I was young and angry, so I started crying. My coach noticed and came and put his arm around me and said, " Cody, what's wrong? You killed it today, you should be happy!' I said, " I know coach, but my real father was here, and I thought he'd come tell me how proud of me he is, but he just left and didn't say anything!" "You don't know what he had to do today," he said, " Just be happy with how you played yourself, and Cody, could you do me one favor?" "Yes coach?' I said. " Always play like your father is watching."

  I think back to how much those words meant to me then and how much they still impact my life today. I think ALL of us should always play, live, behave and act like our Father is watching, because He is always watching. We are representatives of the Lord and should behave as such. Now don't take this the wrong way, I don't mean He's watching just waiting for us to mess up do He can punish us, I mean He's watching us like parents in the bleachers watch their kids play sports, cheering us on and praying for us to succeed! 

    I didn't play great that day because I was afraid of my dad, I played great because I wanted him to be proud of me. Let's all try and live our lives in a way that glorifies our heavenly Father and makes Him proud. Up your game like I did that day everyday and your Father will be rewarded and glorified and your life will be better than you ever imagined, I guarantee it! In Jesus name! Amen"

          Bryan Cody