The Lesson of the Balloons

The sun peeked behind a cloud as the boys drew their bows tight. Their teacher loved challenging them with different games. This game was a point challenge. Each shot they made had the potential to earn from one to a million points!

The arrows wizzed through the air as each boy racked up points! Then their teacher added a new level of challenge. He put red and blue balloons on each target with even more points to gain.

As I watched this new game get underway I was surprised by two things.

First, although each boy missed the balloons, they each hit the target EVERY time!

The second thing I noticed was they all were disappointed.

Even though none of the balloons were broken, the teacher congratulated them for never missing the target. He said that the balloons had brought an added precision, even though the goal was not being reached.

I recently completed my coaching certification with Kingdom Builders Academy. I had set many goals for myself, so when I reached the one year mark and was disappointed by the goals that I had not reached, God brought this exact moment to my mind.

He reminded me because of my goals I was accomplishing things that I had never even thought of doing.  I needed to celebrate that I was hitting the target, even if the balloons remained.

So don’t be afraid to dream big when you make your goals, but also learn to celebrate the successes that you have along the way!

At the end of the night of archery, all but two balloons remained! This challenged me to never stop dreaming, never stop reaching.   I know if I continue soon I will hear the balloons popping as the arrows break through!

So take a few moments right now and ask yourself:

What are your goals?

and

Where are you hitting the target?

Then reach for your goals, and don’t forget to celebrate along the way!