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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: BRAG (04/20/17)
Roberto threw his arms into the air and began to strut across the basketball court as he had seen his idol, a professional basketball player, do so often. This time it was he who had made the winning shot and he waited for the arms of his teammates to envelop him. They surrounded Roberto and began to chant his name. Life was good and he was truly on top of the world. He was a great basketball player and he knew it.

Later, he emerged from the locker room and as he did so he noticed his mom waiting for him. She showed up for every game. She had done so since the very beginning when he hadn't been very good and had wanted to quit. She had persuaded him to keep at it and now all of his hard work and suffering had paid off. As he approached, though, he noticed that she did not look happy. When he stopped in front of her it was clear that she was upset about something.

"What's wrong, mom?"

"Are you proud of that display you put on at the end?"

Roberto wasn't sure how to respond. He was proud of what he had done. He was the best and he had showed it on the court.

"Yeah," Roberto replied cautiously.

"I have never been so embarrassed."

"What are you talking about, mom?"

"I raised you better than that."

"Than what? You aren't making any sense."

"Strutting about like that. Drawing attention to yourself. Acting like you won the game all by yourself. It was terrible."

"Please tell me why, mom."

Something changed in his mom's facial expression. She began to look less mad and more confused.

"You really don't know why what you did was wrong do you?"

"No."

"Being proud is a sin. It isn't right to make yourself the center of attention."

"But I'm good. I'm the best."

"It doesn't matter."

"Well, it should."

Roberto walked in silence next to his mom. She had taken the best moment of his life and robbed it of its joy. He had been so sure that she would be happy for him. He had worked hard to become as good as he was. It just wasn't fair.
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This article has been read 364 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
04/28/17
This is a great story. You did a nice job of painting a picture for the reader. The only thing I was hoping for was for Mom to tell him even more that he didn't make that basket by himself. It never would have been possible if the other teammates hadn't done their jobs, if the couch and assistant coach hadn't poured hours into teaching him, if she herself hadn't sacrificed so he could play at all, not to mention the janitor who polished the gym floor, the laundry who washed towels, the ticket taker and security guard too were all a part of that shot. Life is much like that moment. You really show how God uses so many of us. Each one is so important. That's a beautiful message, and a great reminder for so many of us. You did a great job,
C D Swanson 
04/29/17
Oh, so beautiful! This piece touched my heart.

Blessings~
Celeste Duckworth
04/29/17
I just loved your mom in this story...she reminded me of my mom who watched over me to bring me to righteousness. When she did do it I was confused too. We often do not see our own sin. So I thnked my Mom today due to this story. Thank you.
Elaine Hemingway
04/29/17
I loved the story and I loved the message. But I did want his mom to say she loved him anyway in spite of her reservations.
Phillip Cimei
05/01/17
You very seldom see that attitude in parents today. Especially in proud USA. I have been in education and have seen so many parents instill a winning, #1 spirit in their children. I have witnessed parents punching referees, screaming obscenities at umpires and coaches and making a complete idiot of themselves just to instill pride in their children. What a shame. Sometimes we go in the complete opposite and rob our children of hard work and success, and do it in the wrong way. A good story to make us assess our methods. Good job. God bless.