I don’t really play golf, but I have actually gone to the driving range a couple of times to try and improve what little game I have. As I would stand there slicing away through a bucket of golf balls, every now and then I would connect, hit that one ball that would not only go far, but go straight as well! It’s as if all cylinders are firing on that one swing. Maybe the car analogy explains a lot about my golf game, but that one swing is what made me want to buy another bucket of balls just for the chance to connect one more time. Well, life has felt a lot like that lately; a lot of slices, hardships, but every now and then that connect that makes me want to keep on going.A few weeks ago I got caught up in a situation that I won’t go into, but it really turned me upside down and instead of looking forward and keeping my eye on the ball, I got stuck in the past with this internal battle that kept aggravating me and kept my mind spiraling in circles. That same week, Corinne and I also found out that our daughter-in-law lost the baby she was carrying. As I shared with most of you, we are grateful she is ok, but have a silent sorrow that surfaces at times and are heartbroken thinking of them both going through this alone.
Through these two situations some great things took place. With regards to the first incident, I was on the verge of sending out a rather blasting email affirming my frustrations, justifying my positions and basically declaring war on the event. Fortunately, a few close to me took time and spoke peace into my life so instead of me escalating the situation, they helped me walk away and regain my vision for myself and what is taking place at Genesis. The same was true regarding my son, Samuel, and Dominique and the loss of the baby. Although Corinne and I were not the ones really hurting, we were overwhelmed by the love and care from our friends, the phone calls, emails, and even an invitation to fly Corinne out to Hawaii so she could see Dominique. This opened my eyes once again to see what it means to be willing to step into people’s lives, to take the time to laugh when they laugh and cry when they cry, to care and to be a real friend.
The scriptures really came to life at this time as well as we are going through the book of Acts. Our last few gatherings have been like spiritual symphonies, there has been a real response to the things we’ve learned in worship, service and in growing closer to the God we believe in and live for.
A few weeks back when all these things were happening, we were looking at what it meant to be a “Christian” (little Christ) as they were first called in Antioch. When we began I had everyone write down on a piece of paper what came to mind when they think of the name Jesus Christ. In a few words, describe who He has been to you. After my talk in Acts 11 we had a responsive time in worship as I also read all the things that we thought of when we hear the name of Jesus. Words like loving, kind, patient, always there for me, forgiving, my best friend, etc. With all these thoughts about who He was to us was also the realization that this is who we are to be to others as we imitate the Lord and bear His name as Christians.
Through these events I have been charged, rejuvenated, and quickened by God’s Spirit and those around me. It has been an incredible lift and I am absolutely ecstatic to be where I am at this place in my life. Let’s get another bucket; I’m ready to start swinging.
