Spiritual Training Ground

In 2022, I crossed the finish line of an Ironman triathlon. It was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life, but any triathlete will tell you the same thing: The race is just the victory lap. The real work happened in the dark at 5:00 AM, in the pool when my arms felt like lead, and during those long rides where my only company was myself, or my poor husband who had to ride with me to keep me safe.

Lately, I’ve realized that my home has become a different kind of training center. As parents, we are the coaches, and our kids are in the "pre-season" of their lives.

The Pre-Race Preparation

Before a child even makes the decision to follow Jesus, we are conditioning them for the spiritual race ahead. We aren't just "getting through the day"; we are building the spiritual muscle they will need to climb mountains we might never see.

In Ironman training, if you neglect your nutrition, you "bonk." In life, if we neglect the Word, we wither.

1. The Nutrition: Soul Food

In 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy, Paul emphasizes the importance of being "nourished on the words of the faith" (1 Timothy 4:6). Just as I had to calculate every calorie for my bike leg, we have to saturate our kids in the Truth.

"If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed." — 1 Timothy 4:6

People often ask my husband (who is also an ironman who competed at the world championships) and I, what they should eat the day of the race, and my husband always responds, “What you trained with”. Don’t mix things up, do what works and what you know is good. Similarly, if our kids are raised on the word of God and know it’s truths, once they come into salvation and start to race through sanctification, they should stick to the nutrition they know is true! The Word of God.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." — 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2. The "Exhausted" Workouts

Training for a race involves "simulated efforts"—workouts meant to imitate the fatigue of the actual event. Parenting is full of these moments. When we teach our kids patience during a meltdown or kindness when they’re tired, we are simulating the trials of the world. We are teaching them not to quit when the "spiritual incline" gets steep.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."— Galatians 6:9

3. Training for the Finish line

The goal isn't just to get them to the start of the race (salvation); it’s to give them the tools to finish well. We provide the "gear"—prayer, scripture, and community—so that when they step onto that course, they aren't starting from zero. They have a foundation of endurance. I’ve seen so many people start an ironman and never finish because things got hard. I’ve also seen so many people start to follow God then turn away because things got hard. If our kids are trained well, they will be capable of finishing strong.

Hebrews 12:1: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Scriptural Inspiration for the Race- Think Training Manual!

• 1 Corinthians 9:24-25: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training."

• 2 Timothy 4:7: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

• Isaiah 40:31: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

A Final Thought for the "Coaches"

Some days, parenting feels like Mile 18 of the marathon—you're tired, you're sore, and you wonder if you're making progress. But remember: every prayer you pray and every verse you share is a "deposit" into their spiritual engine. You are preparing them to run a race that lasts for eternity.

Keep training. The finish line is worth it.