What Carson Learned From #59

What Carson Learned from #59

I had the chance to take my six-year-old daughter, Carson, on a date. We saw the Houston Texans play the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium. Our seats weren’t great, but that didn’t matter. We had a grand time. We were given the tickets because the night before the game, I spoke in the Texans chapel service. Each of my sons had experienced this special treat before, and now it was my Carson’s turn.

Though tickets to the game were a great treat, it was the second pair of tickets that really got Carson excited. Those tickets were for the postgame players’ reception, where family members and friends wait for the players to come out. It’s a fun gathering where food is served and people are enthusiastic if the team has performed well. It is also a special way to get behind the scenes to meet a few of the players, which Carson was really hoping to do.

Though it was past 11 p.m., Carson was wide awake. Unfortunately, one of the players she had hoped to meet she only saw from afar, because after the embarrassing loss, he was leaving with quite a scowl on his face. One player she did get to meet, though, was Whitney Mercilus, #59, one of the players I had spoken with after the chapel service the night before. In the game, Mercilus had sacked Tom Brady on national television. Even after the loss, he was in good spirits, was gracious with his time, and took pictures with Carson.

On our way home, Carson asked, “Daddy, why was Whitney so happy and the other player (who will remain unnamed) so mad? Didn’t they both lose?” I thought it a profound observation on her part. I said, “Carson, Whitney doesn’t get his joy from winning and losing football games. He gets his joy from Jesus.”

Where do you get your joy? In your performance, or in the Lord? Remember Isaiah 29:19 today, which states, “The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel” (ESV).

The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 29:19, ESV