The volleyball team that Taylor coaches lost in the championship game Saturday to close out an incredible season. John would often serve as a ball boy during warm-ups, wearing a team t-shirt Taylor gave him.
Taylor’s team played the semi-final match of the state tournament last Wednesday in their home gym. They won the fifth set of an exciting match before a large crowd to secure a spot in the finals for the first time in school history. As fans stormed the court I walked down and congratulated our son the coach. I then walked back up the bleachers and observed the celebration. Volleyball players were crying for joy; parents were slapping each other on the back; John and a bunch of little kids were playing ball on the court; and a host of people surrounded Taylor with handshakes and embraces.
Thirty minutes later, I would estimate that eighty percent of the fans remained in the gym. No one wanted to go home as an entire school community celebrated the accomplishment. Taylor looked up and noticed me sitting alone in the stands. I watched him slip through the crowd and make his way up the bleachers to join his dad. We had a few minutes alone to laugh and share some of the highlights of the night before several people spotted ‘Coach Davis’ and headed our way. It was quite a night.
I wonder if Jesus and his Father had such moments at the end of a day. As the once sick celebrated their healing and the blind marveled at their sight and the lame jumped for joy, I wonder if Jesus slipped away to enjoy a moment with his Father. Can’t you imagine the Father saying, “Great job!” to his Son after a day’s teaching about the Kingdom? We know Jesus found perfect security in the love of his Father. And this is the love God has for us! Let’s walk as Jesus did!
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are!” I John 3:1
“Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” I John 2:6