B E H I N D / T H E / B A R

“There’s a difference in heart and height, I have one, but I think they’d rather I have the other.” -Jayden Greer

My 14 year old was processing yet another poorly worded comment from a new coach – “yeah but you’re too short!” He’s lived his whole life with folks making jokes about his height. Most of the time he laughs it off, but the words sting. I’ve never understood why people make “fat” jokes or “short” jokes or for me as a kid “four eyes” jokes. As a dad – I have to fight the urge to fight a battle that’s not mine to fight. But hearing that kind of wisdom drop from his lips tonight was soothing to this dad’s soul. 

He knows he lacks height. But he also knows he has heart and equally as valuable if not more so than height. He had to team up with a new kid tonight at practice who didn’t really want to be there. Man, did it ruffle Jays feathers? Because he has heart. 

I’ve sat with this, this evening and it makes me wonder what I undervalue in life because something else seems more valuable.

Height or heart? 
Breadth or depth? 
Mega or Small? 
Entertaining or Life Changing? 
The Crowd or that lone safe person?

God told Samuel “man looks on the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7). He often values what we don’t. 

I can’t fight Jays battles for him. I won’t protect him from the “short” jokes from his friends or from the disregard by a coach. But I realized tonight – I don’t have to. He knows what’s valuable – heart over height. 

And he’s got that. 

I’m proud of ya kid!