 Pain and Faith. I am such a dope! The Lord has been so very, very good to me! I can't even come close to explaining how very good, for as the Apostle, John said; "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written." John 21:25. This is His legacy in me. My great friend, Dustin Blair, is my hero.When all is well it is so easy & sensible to be strong in your faith. Ask me, I've been on a roll for the past 8 years as many of my Brothers & Sisters in the faith will tell ya. He has done so many things for me and my family. I have been in His presence daily; growing in the knowledge of God. Then, I have knee replacement surgery, just seven days ago. Simple procedure. Been planning on it for over a year, lost fifty pounds, sorta did the exercises, etc. Piece a cake, right? Nope!!!! Pain, discomfort, doubt. My great friend, Dustin Blair is my hero. Dustin has suffered since he was young with Cystic Fibrosis and other illnesses where he has for years required breathing treatments, etc. as well as having to have his leg removed when he was ten years old. Can you imagine?
I'm here questioning & frustrated with my faith response to this surgery, a simple procedure, yet, so painful. I'm questioning my faith. Are you kidding me?!! How could Dustin have done it? I have no where to go .... Took a bit of time this morning to seek His face; a simple song, "Do It Again" by Elevation Worship, "You've Never failed Me Yet". A simple devotional, Luke 2:1-14, "14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Then, "Give Me Faith" by Elevation Worship. "I may be weak, Your Spirit's strong in me. My flesh may fail, my God You never will." When I sought His face, He showed up. Wow I'm such a dope. How easy it is to focus on "me". What a dope. Thank You, Father. I love You so .
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 I was hooked!!! One golf lesson from the Pro at Belmont Country Club and something inside of me was filled up. I'm on the road from shagging to caddying to .... I had been introduced to the game in 1960 when I happened (?) upon a golf club near my home. The Pro had me shagging on the range and shortly after engaging in that activity, he gave me a lesson. As I said, I was hooked. It wasn't very clear at the time, but, shagging at the Belmont CC became a job and a fulfillment for me, even at 8 years old. I was consumed with it during the Summer of 1960. Sure it was hot most days, but, the sun, the grass, the image of those golf balls flying off of the clubhead bouncing and, by the end of week two, I was catching them on the first or second bounce (or so I remember, lol). I vaguely recall the positive comments from the Pro and his encouragement each and every day. I believe that God places passions/desires in us while we are in our Mother's wombs and the basis for this is my own experience over the past 34 years growing up as a 'new' man in Christ and from Psalm 139:12-14 "You created my inmost being; you (He) knit me together in my mother's womb. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.." as well as Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." The question being answered is; "Why do I have such a passion for golf and everything golf?" I believe the Lord meant it to be so. "Dad, I have been going to the golf club most days and I really love this golf stuff." "Ah, that golf nonsense is not for you, Bill. It's a rich man's game." Dad says. Total deflation!!! "But, Dad, the Pro gave me a lesson and he thinks I might be good at it." "Bill, I said it was not for you. Just work at the club and forget about playing the game." I couldn't. I, just, couldn't. Honestly, the rest of the details are quite foggy, but, I know I kept going to the club and shagging. I, even, remember a few "loops" or caddying that I did at Belmont. It was pretty arduous work for an 8 year old, carrying that bag that seemed overly large and heavy for just a dozen or so clubs, balls, and lots of other paraphernalia. And, the harassment from my caddie brothers was merciless!! But, I kept at it that summer. The day of all days during that time came when I got home from the course and my Dad was standing in the living room with his hands on his hips with a huge grin on his face, just waiting for me to come in.  "Well" Dad said, "I went by the dump today and look what I found."
It was an old canvas bag, tattered and torn in some places, with seven or eight irons, a putter and two woods. There were scrapes and rust and dirt, but, they were perfect for me. I pulled out one of the irons and the shaft looked like wood, but, it was, actually, an adhesive wrapping around the steel to make the shafts look like hickory. They were beautiful. "But, I thought you said golf wasn't for me, Dad." "Ah, I just happened to find 'em at the dump, whatever." "Thank you, thank, you, thank you!!!! I can't believe this. I have my own clubs. I can't believe this." Do you remember a time when you received something that you really, really wanted? Did you let it accompany you to bed the way I did that summer? Just sayin'. |
AuthorTrying to follow the Lord's will regarding ministry and the platform of golf. Archives
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