You know what’s weird about being a parent? Sometimes when I’m giving the boys advice and teaching them something, I realize I need the words just as much as they do. Case in point . . .

Reeves had a hard time completing his work at school this week, so much so, his teacher emailed me Tuesday and Wednesday with her concerns. So Wednesday night, Reeves and I had a heart to heart, and somewhere along the way, I said, “School is the most important thing,” to which Reeves responded, “More important than God and family?”

Of course, the answer was “No,” but at the same time, I needed Reeves to know I meant business about getting his ducks in a row.

Now, I don’t know where you do your best thinking, but I do mine in the shower, so it wasn’t until Thursday morning that I had my epiphany and figured out what I was really trying to say. I didn’t mean school was the most important thing. I meant Reeves’ effort at school was what was important. Because here’s the thing about effort—it transcends school. It’s a trait that shows up in sports, in work, in relationships, in life. And knowing the value of effort was what I wanted to emphasize.

I shared my thinking with Reeves before school and explained that effort was what I was looking for. He didn’t need to get all of his work right, he just needed to show he was trying. That’s what was important. Naturally, he looked at me and quipped, “Even more important than God?” This time I was ready with my reply: “No, but God has given us all talents and gifts, and he expects us to put forth some effort in using them. He doesn’t need us to be perfect, but he does need us to try.”

Yeah, buddy, I dropped the mic on that one! I was pretty proud of myself . . . until I started wondering if I was following my own advice.

On my way to school, I kept thinking about the story of Elijah and the widow in I Kings 17. The widow uses the little bit of oil and flour she has to make bread for Elijah, and because she does, God continues to bless her so that she never runs out of ingredients. She was afraid she didn’t have enough, but she offered what she had, and God took it from there. She made the effort; God made the miracle.

That’s usually how it works, if we’re willing to try.

So, is there a talent or gift you’ve been holding back because you’re worried it’s not enough? I get it; I find myself doing the same thing. But let’s make a pact, right here, right now, to give God our best effort and then watch what He will do. I have a feeling we’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results.