Fri., Jan. 25, 2019

Romans 12:8 – If your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The one showing mercy should be cheerful.

It might have been one of the worse days of his life. But it seems this leader kept track of his priorities.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was making a run to lead his team back to the Super Bowl last Sunday night. In the NFC Championship game, Brees may have experienced one of the worst losses of his career. For many, it feels like his trip back to the Big Dance was literally ripped from his hands. The no-call was dramatic. The overtime was problematic. The whole evening must have been a huge disappointment. As the leader of his team, I can only imagine the personal thoughts going through his mind after the game.

Yet, when the stadium was nearly empty, Drew’s true leadership skills were displayed. Saint’s reporters said this dad/professional football player/Christian let his kids run around on the field. He played catch with them and even stopped to tie one of his son’s shoes. While Brees is the leader of the Saints, it appears he knows what role is more important: that, of being a leader of his family.

Rather than letting the emotion of losing this big game consume him, Brees showed that his kids and family are more important than a Super Bowl ring. Did his kids understand what had just happened on the field? I have no clue. What I think Brees taught them, as well as us, is that when life gets tough or you are struggling, remember what is most important to you.

Brees has spoken of his Christian faith. Raised as a Christian, Brees says he became committed to his faith when he was 17. He was sitting at church with a torn ACL, wondering what his life purpose was. This was not the last time Brees would experience professional set-backs. He says such setbacks have strengthened his relationship with God. He says, “I live for God, for the faith that I have in Him … all I have to do is just give my best, commit the rest to Him.”

True leaders quietly show us that even in our worse moments, our priorities do not change. How Brees handled himself after the game defines what kind of man he is. Brees didn’t play ball with his kids so he could be photographed for social media. He played catch with his kids because this is what he does as a dad; as a leader; as a Christian.

For his family and the rest of the world, Brees reminded us that even in our worse moments, may we not loose sight of what is truly important. What our priorities are. What defines who we are. This is what excellent leaders do every day.

Thanks for reminding us, Drew. Thanks for being a leader not only for your team and your family, but for the rest of us as well.

For reminders to keep our priorities in check and be inspired by great leaders, I am grateful.

Almighty God – Jesus demonstrated for us that being a leader when things are tough is a lot harder than when things are going swell. May we be inspired to not let our priorities run amuck when life gets hard. Thank you for wonderful examples of Christian people who try to live this in their daily lives. Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne

If you have enjoyed this blog, please pass it along to someone else who will also enjoy it.