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Leaning against my desk in the midst of all the books, papers and periodicals is a golf club-a pitching wedge.  It was initially placed there to be a gift to one of our grandsons who was getting interested in playing golf.  Turns out that he got a good deal on a set of clubs from a pal,  so he didn’t need the club.   Consequently, I left the club there leaning against my desk for several reasons, of which I will mention in this article.

First, that club reminds me of a life of fun and yes sometimes agony on the course.  Started playing golf at age nine, and through the years it has been my only alternative to work. After playing for several years in a number of local area golf tournaments and never winning, I asked our local pro when he thought I might win a tournament, he replied, “The day you step on that first tee and know you are the best golfer in the tournament.”  Much easier said than done-problem was I never had that kind of confidence.  Though I luckily won one tournament, the thought remains that in the State J.C. Junior Golf Championship I had a 16 on the final hole.  As I walked off the green, the radio announcer said, “And the  most disastrous round of the day happened to young Hal Brady.  He shot 39-53 with a 16 on the last hole.”No confidence there!  However, real fun was playing the first round of golf with my father and playing the first round with my sons when they beat me.

Second, that club leaning against my desk brings to mind so many of the great folks I have played golf with over the years, gotten to know and developed friendships with-competitors, strangers, parishioners, acquaintances and, of course, family members.  There is just something about riding in a cart with someone over 18 holes that enables you to get closer to them in life and understanding.  And laughter is always at the heart of the day, even if the golf game was absent.  Besides, you learn a lot about a person riding in a golf cart.  How does he handle the golf problems-issues related to temperament, excuses, respect, language and ethics.  In other words, you get a reading into his character.  A number of my golfing buddies have entered the Father’s House but for sure they are not forgotten here.

Third, that golf club leaning against my desk points out the importance of having a proper grip!  One thing I occasionally like to do is grip the club and take  a few chipping motions right there on the rug.  Only a golfer will understand.  However, it helps me recall the absolute importance of having the right grip.  Gripping the club enables me to remember how fundamentally critical the grip is to golf.  Actually, according to those who know, it is the foundation to the golf swing.  Without a proper grip there is zero hope for a noble golf life.  And gripping the club also brings to my attention something much more significant than golf and that is “The Master’s Grip.”  Without that grip on our lives there will be no real purpose, meaning, peace or joy. I have always thought that if I had been pastoring a church in Augusta, Georgia during the Master’s Tournament my sermon title would have been “From the masters to the Master.”  So, let us welcome or re-welcome the One who can give life and life abundant.  Just hope you have something meaningful in your life like that golf club that leans against my desk!