This Time He Did It

Two major victories yesterday: my DI team had an awesome dress rehearsal as we enter our final week before the State contest. And in the midst of that, I got a text from my son Matt- he had just won the ABA Appellate Advocacy semifinal match for the regional competition in DC. He had one match to go. If he won in the finals, he and his partner would be representing Washington and Lee Law School and the entire region in the National competition. I was so proud of him, remembering when he was a little boy and wanted so badly to reach Nationals in his Forensic Debate Club. He had come so close, but never did get to go. In the flurry of my DI team practice, I thanked God for the victories that had brought him to the Finals, and for the wonder of the DI team pulling it all together just in time for States.

These two victories did not come easily. My DI team has been working for 9 months, twice a week, many hours a week. They have learned so many things, not the least of which is that doing anything well is not easy, and requires sacrifice and commitment.

And then there is my boy, Matt. When he was 11 years old, he entered his first debate. He knew from that moment that one day, he wanted to be a lawyer. Even at that young age, he would spend hours each day researching the cases he would debate. He debated for the next seven years in our homeschool regional debate competitions. He always had good partners, though they never loved Debate as much as he did, nor longed for a career in law as he did. The one year he and his partner were invited to Nationals, the partner chose not to go, and Matt could not go without his partner. Debate was Matt's love, and he was sorely disappointed. He swallowed his disappointment and continued working towards his dream to become a lawyer. He finished high school, went to college, and still followed his dream. He was accepted at a wonderful law school, and continued to enter contests, study his beloved law, and dream big.

I prayed all weekend, knowing he was in this big law school debate contest. I kept picturing my little 11 year old, dressed in a suit we got him from Goodwill that was a little too big, carrying his briefcase nearly half as big as he, as he went to his first debate. I remember the opposing team laughing at him when he began his opening arguments about "aliens". I wanted to kill those other rude team members. When that first debate ended, Matt didn't win, but the judges told me that he had a big future in front of him.

As I prayed all weekend, I asked that this time, he would not be disappointed. This time, let him live his dream, let him have everything he wants. This time, let him do his best, and savor the reward. This time. Please Lord. Let my wonderful, brave, devoted, and hard working little boy who has worked so diligently for so many years grab the brass ring this time.

And this time...he did. He and his partner won the finals, and my boy is finally going to Nationals.

For all of you who have loved a passionate child who has wanted so much and been so often disappointed, I know you will forgive me these words of joy.

This time, he did it.


Proverbs 13:12 (NIV)
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.


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