The Right Equipment

I have been where he was. I sensed his discomfort. The uneasy laugh, indicating his frustration and his embarrassment, unsure which was greater. He was alone and none of the rest of us had the nerve to assist him. There really wasn't anything we could do. The aisle was pretty much empty though to him, everyone in WalMart was staring at him. Yes, he had the dreaded task of finding the right equipment. Sent on the errand for, more than likely, only one thing. That explained the few "odds and ends" that were spread in his cart. (He had to have something to hide the equipment.) I wanted to at least walk by him, a silent pat on the back, a nod of the head to let him know I was there with him but that was all I could offer. The first pass we made I heard him declare in desperation to the cell phone against his ear, and I quote, "There is one that says it has wings!?" I ushered Jodi out of the aisle as quickly as I could just to give him the needed privacy. She was giggling. I don't know if she was giggling more at him or thinking of me when I was performing the deed not so long ago. About 10 minutes later, we passed the aisle again and he was still standing there, defeated, shaking head hung low, holding two soft-sided boxes in either hand. Jodi informed me that she had seen him in the interim and said that he had hung up the phone once, for now the phone was up again, the poor soul trying to get the information that would allow him to walk proudly out of that aisle, task completed. Whether he ever made it home successfully last night, I do not know. He could have purchased about 5 different kinds just to be safe and made it home without the right one. Which leads me to a question. Why don't the women just shop for these things by themselves? Is there a secret camera in those aisles recording for the next reality TV show? I admire those men who leap out there in that realm where they know for certain, if they do succeed, they have embarrassed themselves beyond repair. Yet, we continue to go there and put ourselves through it because we love our women. I just hope that guy's wife said "thank you" when he got home. I hope he used it to build his relationship with his wife and he allowed his frustration to subside before he got home. His day was no better if he didn't return with the right attitude or the right equipment. I applaud us all!

I have waited 5 plus years for what happened yesterday evening. Jodi had a jewelry show (not what I am talking about), Anna Clair stayed at the show and played with her cousin, so Levi and I had the evening to do whatever we wanted. And what we wanted was to play our first round of golf together, just the two of us. At least that is what I wanted to do and when I asked Levi if he wanted to he responded with a resounding "YES!!!!" So with my golf bag on my shoulder and Levi carrying his only club, a 7 iron, like a gun (he is still only 5) we headed for Upper Lansdowne Golf Club just east of Ashville.

We began on hole number 1 and quickly found that a Thursday evening with 75 degree temperatures brings out all kinds of folks wishing they were golfers. The wait on some holes was excruciating as we had maybe just enough time to complete 18 holes without needing night vision goggles to see the balls coming up the 18th fairway. Now don't get me wrong, I am glad that anyone enjoys the game of golf but if you are going to play in the evening time at least be in a little hurry; at least be ready when your partner hits the ball, you already have your club chosen and you are on the tee box ready to tee off. I am also happy for the females to play golf, but please don't take 1 minute to address a ball that you then dribble off the tee 30 yards to the right. And please don't re-tee another ball that you have to go back to the cart to get and proceed to dribble 30 yards to the left so that now you have to take extra time to retrieve because at least the first one you hit isn't stuck under a tree. And please don't wear black running shorts trimmed in white and a tee-shirt to the golf course. If you do and I am behind you, I may just hit a ball past you onto the green on the 3rd hole. I did. It was a short par 4 (265 yards) and instead of waiting 27 minutes for them to clear the green I went ahead and teed off with my 3 wood, taking a lazy swing just trying to lay up short of the green. I forgot to take into account the tail wind and as soon as I struck the ball I thought to myself, "Uh-oh. I think that might hit them." It missed by about 15 feet. It is a good thing they weren't my uncle or I would have been dodging the ball coming back at me.

After that, I decided that I was going to enjoy this special time with Levi. We talked about him getting his own clubs. He wants one of the fat ones (driver) and the putt (putter). Levi also had started imitating my comments about how long the twosome in front of us were taking to play. So we just enjoyed the company and the scenery and I enjoyed quality and quantity time with a very special boy. I let him tee off on most of the holes and he just started walking up the fairway saying, "I'll just meet you up there." I looked back to watch him and he was hitting the ball fairly well. He would make it up to the green and he would drop the ball in the fringe and then hit it toward the flag. He would then come and get my putter and then put it toward the hole. After about 6 putts he would announce, "Another birdie! I am beating you Daddy!" He even informed me that he made an eagle.

The back nine went much more smoothly as most of the patrons were only playing 9 holes. When we made it to the 18th green and putted out, I told him that at the end of a good round of golf, we needed to shake hands like they do on TV and say, "nice round." So when he finished putting out, we shook hands and exchanged words and then I gave him a kiss. What a special time. Hopefully we have many more such occasions to enjoy a relaxing round of golf. The way we were both playing last night, he will probably legitimately beat me when he is about 10 or 12 years old.

I am thankful that we had the evening and were able to spend that time together. If we never play another round of golf together, I was blessed enough. Whatever it is you and your sons or daughters like to do together, just the two of you, I say do it and build memories and seal the bond you have. Life is too short to take them for granted or to miss the opportunities. Create your legacy today based on a spiritual foundation and pass it on so that when your children step up on it and develop their own, they will find themselves on a solid foundation. God knew what He was doing when He gave us children. Honor His gift by how you handle them.

DCI

Wow! What a fantastic show last night at Crew Stadium as we watched the DCI "Artistry in Motion" spectacular. The seats were great, 40 yard line 20 rows up; perfect spot to see the intricate marching maneuvers, hear the blast from the horns, and to feel the beat of the drums. One of my fondest memories of high school is marching band. We, of course, never reached the level of the drum corps but we did have a great time performing our routines and exciting a Friday evening home crowd. Everyone had a great time; even the children were obedient to the lady in front of us and to my knowledge left her seat unmolested the whole show. It is a good thing one of them didn't accidently rub her seat or Sally may have been spending the evening in the Franklin Co. jail on charges of misdemeanor assault.

As I reflect on the show last night and endeavor to draw a spiritual application, I can only think of the amazing harmony and the rightness that occurs when a group of people from different walks of life, with differing talents, each do their task to the best of their ability with the end goal to give their all for the common goal of perfection. They don't always reach their potential, but they try.

I am beginning to see the church this way. I think that is what God intended. Every member has certain talents that will help complete the body when these talents are utilized effectively and with the whole heart engaged. We fail to often when many in the body fail to put forth their required amount of effort, however little or great that effort be. John wrote about a month ago or so about the desire to glorify God in all we do and I think that will help us to see others differently and may even allow us access to them to help them desire to serve God more and will help them serve Him better. It is a way we can help to change the hearts of Christians. Talking about how little some do amongst ourselves will never change them.

How God must shudder when there is dissonance among the church because many choose to not fulfill their purpose and do their work. How He must wonder when those who do work to fulfill their purpose speak lowly of those who won't. I know I have trouble with this but I resolve to work on it so that the praise we offer to God as Christians will sound so much better than the music we heard last night.

I am trying to get back in the swing of things this week and I hope to share some of the highlights of church camp from last week and the reunion from the first of June. It never ceases to amaze me just how quickly time passes. Jodi said Wednesday that summer passes more quickly that the cold months. Even the colder months are flying by for me.

I am thankful that God gave us the church and that He put in place the plan to reconcile all men to Him. I am thankful for the cross and the forgiveness, hope, and promise I have because of it. May you have a great day.