What Tom Brady Taught Me About Contentment

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I have honestly always been a bit envious of professional athletes. I mean, playing a sport for a living? Seems like the real deal. A life of ultimate fulfillment. 

But is that what we see? Do 
professional athletes really live the good life? 

To be clear, I'm not one of those girls that's got a mega crush on the (so-called) GOAT.
But I do love and follow NFL Football. While it's considered a sin in my hometown to not root for Ohio State (and the university pays our bills) I will for sure always cheer my alumni, but honestly, compared to the pros, these late-night College football games have been kind of snooze-inducing for this perpetually tired, mama of four. 

I started to originally follow the NFL as a means to bond with my husband. Turns out the sport played at it's highest level is thoroughly thrilling.  

I never really bought into the idea that "oh the college guys really play the game because they love it." Now that the rules have been altered, if you follow football in the slightest, I think there's no disagreement:  greed and narcissism occurs on the collegiate level too.

Ok but let's get back to the Hall of Famer. Tom Brady seems to be the kind of guy that's got it all. I mean no question he's immensely gifted. He's got the drive, the skill, the decent looks (hubs - you're still better looking), the super model wife, the adorable kids, the mulah, the fame. The in home chef. (I mean if I woke up to a pre-made omelette and coffee every morning? Pshaw. The things I could get done) I could go on, but I won't.

 And while he's been in the news lately for his recent tablet smashing meltdowns, there's one interview of him that always sticks out in my mind...


So at this time in his career, the dude I think has maybe two super bowl rings? Two measly world championships. Regardless if you watch the video or not, it isn't hard to guess that Brady is communicating despite all the dream achieving, that something is missing from his life. At this point his accomplishments are pretty remarkable. But what's intriguing to me is that a life that should be largely fulfilling, is lacking in meaning. 

Jim Carrey in a moment of seriousness says: "I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer."

So Tom Brady not happy in his 20's with two rings. And Tom Brady acting like a toddler now. Well, what should we make of this?Interestingly enough, studies show that emotionally healthy people don't tend to be extremely wealthy, or famous. I say extremely because everyone I know is way better off comparatively to the rest of the world. 

There are three main things that make people happy: close relationships, a job or past-time that they love and helping others. On the other hand, money and material things do not have a lot to do with happiness, and people who emphasize them are less happy than those who do not*

Contentment is worth evaluating for our own lives. Where are we placing our hope? What are we striving for? Why don't we often feel like we are enough? Do these longings point to something or someone more substantial? I mean if you know me you likely know where I'm headed but seriously could this someone be God?

People who claim that God is so hidden, I always counter that idea with, but is He?
Have you sought him with your whole heart? Or even tried to objectively assess if the Christian Faith is rational?You want to go deeper and talk stats and hail mary's? I'm your girl. And I could literally chat all day about reasons for God's existence, the plausibility of Heaven, the peace prayer can bring and how God is so so good. 

If Tom Brady aint happy I think it's safe to say that man's empty praise and treasures that fade are never enough.

CS Lewis says" If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

And the stories about Brady and his failing marriage are true, then I absolutely feel for him. What is often the most painful in this life seems to be the brokenness of relationships.My husband and I talk with our children about how our days are numbered. Not to be morbid, but to help them evaluate... where are they placing their hope? To remind them that this life is not all there is. 

The more I learn about God and the closer I am to Him, the more I want to be with Him. (Well surely when my kids are ready and in His timing!) But I also really love my life. I wouldn't say I'm perfectly content. I have meltdowns, I am an imperfect person living in a broken, evil world but I am grateful and aware of what I've been given. And while my relationships are not perfect my husband values me deeply.  I view my kids as such amazing eternal treasures. Because they are.

 Healthy family life is a small foreshadowing of heaven. Happy families give us a small picture of an infinitely good God. Family is after all the first institution He created.

 I love what author Hilary Morgan Ferrer says: She will maintain to her dying day that family is the greatest apologetic (reason to believe)**

What the stats reveal about satisfaction are not that people like Tom Brady who seem to have it all are better off. It's about investing now in what we will ultimately be with us in the next life. People and relationships. God and His Word. 

Matthew 6:19 says: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Oh and also Go Bengals, Go Buckeyes. Eli Manning is hilarious.


*https://www.fox9.com/news/heres-how-much-money-you-need-to-make-to-be-happy-living-in-the-us-according-to-study

**Mama Bear Apologetics: Guide to Sexuàlity
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