As I ventured to Charleston for the Nationwide "Palmetto Pride" Qualifier, I felt very good about how my game was progressing. I really felt it was possible to meet my goal and make the event, or at least come close. Two days before the qualifier, I had the opportunity to play golf with some friends. Both days, I played well, especially to be on courses I had not yet played, from the back tees none the less.
However, something changes when you are out playing with your family and friends and when you are keeping a competitor's score walking down fairways with a caddy. Something just seems to happen to usually normal swings and easy shots. They all become much harder, at least you begin to think they are.
I am learning that the difference between playing with friends and in competition is only about 6 inches (the space between your ears). Don't give me credit for that one, I believe it was Bobby Jones who said it first. He must have experienced the same thing I have.
How does one get through it? Practice and experience. I believe the key is to make every round the same. Not to make each round competitive, but to make the same swing, I need to have the same thoughts and the same amount of pressure, or lack of it. Most of the time, pressure is put on ourselves. I am learning that pressure is all about how I acknowledge it and handle it. As I began my round Monday, I started out great. I was -1 through 5 holes, on track for my goal, which would have made the event. However, something happened, ever so quietly, sneaking up like a roaring lion (looking for someone to devour- had to throw that verse reference in from 1 Peter) and believe me it ate up my confidence and my score. Don't worry, it spit it back out after 18.
I am disappointed. I am glad I am, that means it hurts, that means I know I can do better and will strive to learn how to play in that setting and be successful. What is successful? Is it winning...not always. If we measure success by winning, we are worldly, I don't want to be that. I want to measure success by my Shepherd's rod. His definition of success is to go where He leads and do as He asks of us.
My shepherd has me back in Florida at work today picking up range balls at Orange County National. My heart though, was in Charleston, wishing I was having that experience of playing in a multi-day golf event. This time, it wasn't meant to me. I guess there is a reason I am here. My Shepherd will tell me when I am ready to hear.
Thank you for your prayers and support last week. I am seeking opportunities to play locally in smaller venues that still demand great play to get me ready for future events. I'll keep you informed. Have a great being a sheep.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
A Brake Job
Today I had the m
anly job of having our brakes fixed on our van. Not fun when you consider the cost, but not worth the risk of not having good brakes, especially on the vehicle that Kelley and kids drive the most.
As I found the right place, for the right price, I had a two hour wait before the job would be finished, so I decided to go for a walk. Highway 50 runs right through Orlando and also through some rough areas, however, I figured it was OK being the middle of the day. I wasn't going to venture off the main street though.
After about 2 miles, I had already decided to turn back when a young man came over to me at the light. I had asked God to place someone in my life I could share the Gospel with just a few minutes before. The young man asked if I was new to the area and that he was hungry. He shared that he had left home and had just quit his job because he didn't get paid. I asked the young man his name and he siad it was Eric. Proven by his tattoo on his arm. So Eric and I backtracked to a Wendy's to get some lunch. As we sat down to eat, he shared that he had a mom and two younger brothers at home, but he had chosen to leave home to be on his own. However, he was realizing that he really needed to go back home. He asked if I was a Christian since I was helping him. Eric said that he believed in Jesus, but found it very hard to live like it on the streets. I encourage him to go back home and to set a positive example for his younger brothers. As they are without a dad, they need someone to help them and although it would be hard, he needed to be that someone for them.
As we were talking, one of Eric's friends came in and sat down next to us. It was there I met Mike. Mike was quite a bit older than Eric, 36, and has had a really tough background. His story is one of foster homes to dropping out of school at 14 to living on the streets and serving time in jail for loitering and trespassing. He is without a job or a home in the area. I took Mike to a 7-11 on the corner and made some phone calls to try to help him. He seemed excited at first, but soon was discouraged as I began sharing steps for him to take to find help. "I don't want to go back there", he shared as I told him how to get to the Salvation Army where they would house him free for 3 nights, and help him locate a job. Mike immediately only wanted money and more help from me. I guess he had already forgotton that I had given him a few dollars I had in my wallet and all I was trying to do for him. I left Mike my phone number and I hope to stay in touch as I find time to go back to the intersection where he hangs out.
I wish I had a happy ending from my encounter with Mike and Eric today, however, I don't, yet anyway. I walked back to pick up my car really wondering what God meant for me to meet Mike and Eric today. I realize they have it hard and there seems to be no hope for them. I am sure they have heard it all before; people that come in and want to help, but don't know what to do, so they disappear. I don't want to just disappear, but there is a choice they have to make too. They have to want to change. I believe there are organizations there to help and people that really do care, however, sometimes those in need don't know how to accept help to change, all they can see is their immediate need. Sometimes that need is for a cigarette or another drink, or that prescription drug that would help him. Mike said that all he needed was a week in a hotel for a rest and a nice shower. I asked him, what after that? He couldn't answer.
I am still not sure what God wants to teach me through Mike and Eric, however, I did learn something. To be thankful for the blessings God has given me. I have a wonderful wife, and 3 healthy beautiful children. Not to mention a bed tonight to sleep in. I guess that sometimes we need to have a BRAKE JOB to stop and realize how lucky we really are.
anly job of having our brakes fixed on our van. Not fun when you consider the cost, but not worth the risk of not having good brakes, especially on the vehicle that Kelley and kids drive the most. As I found the right place, for the right price, I had a two hour wait before the job would be finished, so I decided to go for a walk. Highway 50 runs right through Orlando and also through some rough areas, however, I figured it was OK being the middle of the day. I wasn't going to venture off the main street though.
After about 2 miles, I had already decided to turn back when a young man came over to me at the light. I had asked God to place someone in my life I could share the Gospel with just a few minutes before. The young man asked if I was new to the area and that he was hungry. He shared that he had left home and had just quit his job because he didn't get paid. I asked the young man his name and he siad it was Eric. Proven by his tattoo on his arm. So Eric and I backtracked to a Wendy's to get some lunch. As we sat down to eat, he shared that he had a mom and two younger brothers at home, but he had chosen to leave home to be on his own. However, he was realizing that he really needed to go back home. He asked if I was a Christian since I was helping him. Eric said that he believed in Jesus, but found it very hard to live like it on the streets. I encourage him to go back home and to set a positive example for his younger brothers. As they are without a dad, they need someone to help them and although it would be hard, he needed to be that someone for them.
As we were talking, one of Eric's friends came in and sat down next to us. It was there I met Mike. Mike was quite a bit older than Eric, 36, and has had a really tough background. His story is one of foster homes to dropping out of school at 14 to living on the streets and serving time in jail for loitering and trespassing. He is without a job or a home in the area. I took Mike to a 7-11 on the corner and made some phone calls to try to help him. He seemed excited at first, but soon was discouraged as I began sharing steps for him to take to find help. "I don't want to go back there", he shared as I told him how to get to the Salvation Army where they would house him free for 3 nights, and help him locate a job. Mike immediately only wanted money and more help from me. I guess he had already forgotton that I had given him a few dollars I had in my wallet and all I was trying to do for him. I left Mike my phone number and I hope to stay in touch as I find time to go back to the intersection where he hangs out.
I wish I had a happy ending from my encounter with Mike and Eric today, however, I don't, yet anyway. I walked back to pick up my car really wondering what God meant for me to meet Mike and Eric today. I realize they have it hard and there seems to be no hope for them. I am sure they have heard it all before; people that come in and want to help, but don't know what to do, so they disappear. I don't want to just disappear, but there is a choice they have to make too. They have to want to change. I believe there are organizations there to help and people that really do care, however, sometimes those in need don't know how to accept help to change, all they can see is their immediate need. Sometimes that need is for a cigarette or another drink, or that prescription drug that would help him. Mike said that all he needed was a week in a hotel for a rest and a nice shower. I asked him, what after that? He couldn't answer.
I am still not sure what God wants to teach me through Mike and Eric, however, I did learn something. To be thankful for the blessings God has given me. I have a wonderful wife, and 3 healthy beautiful children. Not to mention a bed tonight to sleep in. I guess that sometimes we need to have a BRAKE JOB to stop and realize how lucky we really are.
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