I have often noticed that children are some of the best sources of teaching us how life works.

When my eldest daughter was 4, she and I were having a foot race in the yard. I would be ahead, but I would “trip” or she would overcome me quite quickly. During one instance, I decided to speed past her and win the race. She began to whimper a bit at my major victory.

“Dad! I want to win,” she said through tears.

I told her that in life, we may not always win at games, races, or other things. The infamous “Why?” followed.

“Sometimes God blesses us in other ways. Sometimes we ‘win.’ Sometimes we ‘lose.’ But as long as do our best then you bring honor to us- your family- and God,” I said.

She nodded quizzically.

Later that night, she and I were playing before her bedtime. She then made up a game where we would hide a stuffed animal for the other one to find. She hid the animal first.

“Ready? Go!” she said, then quickly grabbed the animal from its hiding place.

“I WIN!” she said.

“Um, how is that fair? You hid the toy and knew where it was,” I asked.

“Well, dad, it’s like you said, ‘sometimes you’re not meant to win.’” 

She may not have understood my meaning exactly, but she did have a strong concept of how we feel when we are faced with troubles in life when we don’t “win” at something.

That lack of winning can look different to each person: Failing a test or class, missing a shot or striking out, losing your job, loss of a loved one, illness, etc.

When we are faced with these unpleasant circumstances, we most certainly ask “why?” But are we willing to listen to the answer? Are we willing to do our best? 

Watch a child persist at doing something– you could learn a lot. I did.