Basketball player Ja Morant was suspended by the NBA on March 15 for eight games after he flashed a gun on his Instagram Live account while at a strip club. His careless social media share and other recent incidents spurred major criticism and made headlines. This criticism is valid — professional athletes carry a lot of weight to be role models for kids and inspire those around them. But I pray for his father.
Yes, Ja is an adult, and he is making some poor decisions, but I’m praying for his father. Children are desperate for strong father figures in their lives to set them straight and encourage them in their faith, work ethic, and character.
When I was younger, I had a good dad who would set me straight if I strayed off the path. Authentic character-building does not come from following a movie star or sports figure. Those people can inspire us, but if we allow them to lead our children, we should not be surprised when our children ultimately make tragic mistakes. Character-building comes from a strong parent willing to take the time, energy, and resources to invest in a child’s future.
Pop culture and even schools have glamorized sin, and if parents do not step in, our children will not know any better than to model their lives after their favorite singer or NBA player. Life is not a rap song, and fathers need to be in the home enforcing moral principles for their children, because
