Portable Basketball Goal Families!

Fallen Basketball Goal

The kids got a nice portable basketball goal in October.  I was determined to take good care of this goal. I put the recommended weight in the base and kept the goal low to catch less wind.  However, the goal has still fallen over numerous times.  I purchased some ground spikes from Lowe’s and anchored it down.  It pulled up the anchors during a storm and fell over again.  The rim plate broke and I had to order a replacement part and repair the goal.  In February, after repairing the goal, I put two more anchors down.  I have four anchors and 300 pounds of sand.  A strong storm went through last week, and you guessed it, the goal got blown over and the rim took another hard blow!  Our house sits up on a hill and gets a lot of wind when there is strong thunderstorms.

Then it hit me, I didn’t have this problem as a child.  My goal is still there to this day.  It is hung on a metal post buried in the ground with concrete.  It is always 10 feet.  It isn’t adjustable.  My parents had a small tornado destroy a shop building storing my dad’s farm equipment, but that goal is still there!  Amanda grew up with a permanent goal buried in the ground.  It is still there!

So what is my point?  I think the difference in permanent versus portable goals is a pretty good symbol for our current generation.  We have it better!  The goal is portable.  You can move it where you want.  The goal is adjustable.  You can play at 7.5 feet or 10 feet.  The backboard is clear plexiglass, not the white fiberglass.  But it falls over!  It doesn’t have staying power.  It is flashy and better, but it doesn’t last.  We opt for the newer and better, but we have sacrificed stability and permanence.

Families today are so busy seeking out newer and better, which means we are more portable and active than ever.  But we aren’t as strong. We don’t have the deep roots of past generations, and the winds of the world blow us over.  We are so busy living in a world that seeks to cater to our every desire, that we don’t have the permanence and stability.  We have personal electronics for each family member, and we are on the go from city-to-city with little time at home to be a family.  We are constantly connected, yet disconnected!  We look good, but we aren’t strong!  We are portable, but not permanent.  

I want my family to be like a permanent basketball goal, maybe not the flashiest goal in the neighborhood, but still standing strong after the storm passes over.  Will you join me in this pursuit?