I got a text the other day about our first “unofficial” baseball practice occurring on a Sunday morning at 10 am. My family and I are always one place on Sundays at 10 am: at the YMCA gathering with our Harbor Community Church family to worship Jesus. So I sadly texted back that Sunday mornings would never work for us.

While feeling pretty bummed and wondering what the future held for us, I got another text from a parent on the same team who attends Harbor. He asked him to change it too. I no longer felt alone in this, and can’t even begin to describe how much fellowship I experienced when getting that text.

Not long afterwards, the practice was moved to 12 pm, allowing Connar to make it on time. Apparently the time didn’t work for more than just a few. It just took parents responding, instead of caving.

Sadly, I have come across many other kids and parents who have baseball practice on Sunday mornings. One parent emailed her coach asking if this would be a regular occurrence, because if so, it wouldn’t be fair to him or the other kids: he wasn’t going to miss worship for baseball practice.

I’m grateful that these two families (one from Harbor) stood up and said, “Sunday morning does not work for us.” That’s all that it took. But how many more will be willing to prioritize worship over sports? I don’t begrudge non Christian coaches seeking to have practice on Sunday morning. Why wouldn’t I expect that to happen? Sunday morning isn’t any different than any other day (or Sat night for some)?

But isn’t it different than any other day? Even sacred and something we should protect? I’m not arguing for not playing or practicing on that day, just that we wouldn’t allow the worship (valuing) of something less important not take the place of gathering to worshiping someone actually worthy.

Cecil Shorts III, an injured Buccaneers receiver claims, “We love this game, but the game don’t love us back.” Consider valuing the One who actually did love you back and protecting that time with His family.

I have given up much hope in the power of persuasion through blog posts (and facebook posts). That best takes place in relationships. If you agree with me, just remember that you are not alone. You don’t have to say yes. Not everyone is doing it.

But if you disagree, or if you get tired of saying no to activities or events which keep you from worship on a regular basis, consider that eventually your kids will actually grow up (funny how that happens). When they are out of your house, what do you want them to value? Obviously this goes way beyond attending a worship service-that was just a starting point.

What/Whom do you want them to value? Whatever it is, that involves placing boundaries at some level, and saying, “no” to things to which others may say, “yes” or “yes” to things others may say “no.” So at the very least, it might be wise to have this some end in mind and work backwards from there.

When kids grow up, they will be influenced not so much by what you told them was important, but what you showed them was important: through your time, checkbook, energy, enthusiasm, and actions.

And if you disagree, and don’t think a few practices on Sundays will change all that much in your child’s relationship with Jesus, we can still be friends. And we still welcome you to worship with us, or continue to worship with us, when you can, at the Bradenton Branch YMCA at 10 am.