This weekend I enjoyed “golfing” with my college son. He recently took up the game of golf when he moved back to Texas to attend college, so I was eager to watch him play. Yes, he played, I watched…(and took pictures, of course)!
It was a beautiful, crisp, sunny day in good ol Texas. I absolutely love my kiddos, so anything I get to do with them is a thrill for this Mama’s heart. And if you have more than 2 kiddos, you know getting one-on-one time with any one of them is a thrill, and a blessing, nearly a miracle!
We moved to Florida just over a year ago, but our oldest graduated last year and ended up in Texas for college. I was blessed to get to fly in for the weekend to hang out and hug on him. Oh, and not to mention get my fill of melt in your mouth fajitas! Yeeessss!!!!! Something you cannot find out here in the islands. I know, what a sacrifice. I hear your sarcasm, cuz it's mine too!
It’s the end of winter in Texas which means everything is brownish-yellow with hints of green in it’s landscapes. Very different from the island life of all shades of plush greens. There's something wonderful and majestic about all the old moss hanging off the old sprawling oak trees.
Hole 1.
Not wanting to get in his way, I sat back in the golf cart taking in the scenery, watching my man-child study his million dollar shot on the fairway. I didn’t care if he hit it off into the other side of the course on Hole 6. I was loving just being there. I had shade. I had a kinda-view, but... I couldn’t see his shot. The top of the golf cart blocked me being able to see the ball zipping through the air. And there was no hope of me trying to focus my eyes to watch where it would potentially and hopefully drop some 250 yards away.
So, I climbed out of the cart and would stand up and watch it and half the time I lost it in the sky. Ugh! I blame by 40 year old eyesight. Or lack of! He'd holler over, “Did ya see that?!?” Yes, I saw it on the tee, but then I lost it against the blue sky drenched with white puffy clouds.
No doubt, some he was hoping I didn’t see while other shots sat right where he had hoped they would.
After a few missed viewings he called me over to the green, “Come here Mama.” He said, “Stand right next to me and you will be able to watch the ball from where I stand and see where it goes.” I felt kinda awkward standing there in my blue jeans, flip flops with big ol camera in hand. But, he was right. The view and perception were grand!
Standing closer, I could actually see the ball take flight. Some zipped straight down the middle while there were a few that spliced off to the left.
What a wonderful moment and a perfect view! I could see his facial expressions as he focused and was taking aim. I noticed the slight adjustments his body made as he positioned himself on the course. I felt the hush, the determination, the power of his swing.
And then I watched as he executed the full body twist and swing. What an adrenaline rush to be so close and feel what he feels, see what he sees. Guess where I stood for the rest of the time...yep, just behind him. There was no better view than his!
When we draw close to God, we have the same thrill and advantage as we position ourselves for the perfect view.
Just as my son didn't explain to me where he would send the ball, God doesn’t always explain the path to us.
We stand with Him because we desire to see what He sees and we trust His intentions. He knows what He's doing. God is faithful to bring us close to Him and show us what He sees and feel what He feels as we take in things from His view.
How true it is when we draw closer seeking our Lord that we find the joy of seeing His expressions of grace and love, compassion and mercy. The closer we get, the clearer we see the slight changes in His direction as He leads us along still waters, through valleys from glory to glory. We can feel His intensity and power.
Nothing on this side of Heaven is more thrilling to me than seeing God do His thing, from His creation to His compassion. He is wonderful Savior, beautiful Counselor and Mighty Warrior.
There is none like Him and we are each invited to stand next to Him, to see a view much grander and fuller than from the sidelines. What a thrill of a view! You will never be satisfied again staying back off in the cart where you think you belong where you cannot possibly see fully all there is to see.
Yes, it may feel awkward and you may feel out of place at times when God calls you up to the greens, but I promise you, you will not regret the view!
(And, by the way, up on the greens is where you can better see the sand pits, water dangers and gators on the banks! Trust me, you want to be on The Greens!)
Matthew 7:7-8 ESV "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."
Psalm 23
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
Here are some of my favorite shots from the course:
