Raising Try-Hards
“Have you fed the goats?”
A look of guilt crossed my 6-yr-old’s face. His eyes dropped.
“Well….no. Isn’t it getting too late to do it?” Glancing up and back down, the confession continued. “And I didn’t feed them yesterday either because I didn’t remember until it was late.” Now he stared pleadingly into my eyes. “But I will feed them three times tomorrow, Mom. THREE TIMES!”
Trying not to giggle at his obvious distress, I coyly shrugged. “Well, sure, but I guess it’s too late to feed you tonight. Tomorrow isn’t looking like a food day either. But don’t worry — -I will feed you THREE times on Tuesday!”
Watching the mental wheels turn as he processed this interchange, I was not surprised at all when the first grader tromped off to find his work coat and boots, scowling and grumbling.
Unbeknownst to him, with this small development of empathy and the decision to complete an undesirable responsibility, that young man was taking his first few steps into the realm of Try-Hards.
What is a Try-Hard?
Our two high schoolers were chuckling together one day because of this earned title. Apparently in their separate weight lifting classes, as well as in the academic world, their peers watch them doing — -actually TRYING TO DO — — what the coach or teacher asks of the class and will make comments like, “You go, Try-Hard,” or “Oh, you’re a Try-Hard,” as if just figuring out that they’re one of THOSE people.
“Mom, I don’t know how to not try,” our 16-yr-old commented.
Looking back, those teenagers were eye-rolling, feet-dragging preschoolers and elementary-aged children once. Years of consistent expectations, responsibilities, and seeing the contrast of the peer choices around them seem to have solidified who they want to be and the path they will walk, even if it is lonely at times. They could have sauntered away and chosen a more glitzy or socially acceptable path. Perhaps a sibling or two will.
Many of God’s children have.
After all — -Our Heavenly Father is raising Try-Hards too.
From a young age, God invites us to follow His Son, to keep the commandments, to make covenants with Him and follow through. As we choose our life path, He invites us to consider “the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual…” 1
But He won’t force us to do His will.
Please note that choosing to follow Jesus Christ is the path of TRY-Hards, not the path of Perfect People.
“…our Heavenly Father knows our divine potential. He rejoices every time we take a step forward. To Him, our direction is ever more important than our speed.” 2
And while on this path, why waste time comparing ourselves to those around us?
Elder Quentin Cook taught, “Physical, mental, and spiritual development have much in common….We begin with baby steps and progress day by day, year by year, growing and developing to attain our ultimate physical [mental, and spiritual] stature. Development is different for each person.” 3
So as long as we’re on the path and TRYING HARD, repenting along the way, and not giving up, we are succeeding!
Please take a moment to high five your local Try-Hards, including yourself.
That action may feel a little awkward, but do it anyway.
And remember Nelson Mandela’s statement that “a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying”! 4
