Box of receipts…

I just returned from the State Wrestling Championships, where my oldest son, who is currently a sophomore, had qualified and wrestled. At the start of the season, Jack (my son) told me that his goal was to qualify as a sophomore, medal as a junior, and win it as a senior.  I initially thought he was a “typical teenager” and that he could have been talking more than thinking (no disrespect...as a father of four teenagers and a former family pastor, I do think I have the liberty to speak into the teenage life :-)).  However, as the season developed, I began to see his strategy live out. Once qualifying for state, his demeanor changed, and you could visibly see the reduced stress in his daily life, including when they marched into the Mizzou Arena at the start of the tournament (it was intense enough I was stressed for the both of us). After losing two matches and his season-ending, there was no letdown or disappointment, it was clear his goal had been reached, and the allure of a huge arena and amazing competitive environment didn’t change the goal with the emotion of the moment.   

Later we were sitting with his coach, and I asked about the step between qualifying and placing, and his coach said “you gotta bring a big ole’ box of receipts with you to place.”  His coach, who has been coaching wrestling for nearly as long as I’ve been alive, is brilliant with analogies and life. He explained each workout, every move improved, and every step of execution built upon is a receipt that you can bring back next year. He also explained that every shortcut, missed workout, and general “tenderness” takes a receipt out of the box, and you don’t know how many you will need until you show up and compete against the best.  They will be bringing their box of receipts, and you don’t know how full their box is until you meet them in the arena. 

Man, I’m thankful for great coaches and life lessons. In Psalm 90:12, King David writes, “Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.”  Reflecting on the words of King David and Coach T and thinking about the observations of my son’s growth and accomplishments, I sum up this week’s post like this: 

Know what’s important.  Know what success is for you (not what the world or others tell you it is).  Fill your box with receipts.   

Leaders, what’s success for you, and where are your receipts?