Childhood reflections with a touch of grace: Making the turn

I was a kid who was always looking for the next adventure, and one day, I happened upon a shiny putter in a department store. Not knowing much about golf, I assumed a putter, a few golf balls and some tees would be all I needed to conquer the sport.
A location to hone my skills was the next quest, and it was soon satisfied when I walked by my town’s famous sinkhole, known by the locals as the “bowl.” It was relatively spacious at the bottom, and getting down there was half the fun.
On any given adventurous afternoon, I might slide to the bottom on a piece of well-oiled cardboard. It felt as if my cardboard was equipped with a jet engine by the time I arrived at the bottom. If I had seen the famous daredevil, Evel Kneivel, on TV recently, I might opt for taking my bicycle to the bottom, which made for a very quick and exhilarating trip.
I created a three-hole course in the bowl, using three large oak trees as my targets/flagsticks. I knew just enough about golf to only use a tee for my first shot. I spent many months pretending to be Arnold Palmer as my scores improved impressively over time.
When I was about 30 years old, I began playing the game of golf in earnest, traveling through all of the neighboring counties and beyond, in search of the best courses. I loved every second of it. The beautiful scenery, the fresh air and the occasional alligator nipping at my heels were more fun than I could have imagined from my days in the sinkhole.
There is something special about the halfway point in golf, which is the ninth hole. After finishing this hole, we “made the turn” for the last half of the course. For me, making the turn was about stuffing my face with a hotdog or Butterfinger from the clubhouse. When it takes as many shots as I needed to finish a round, extra energy was definitely needed. I was well known for the occasional low to the ground “worm burner” or my patented slice that once almost took out a condominium window.
Golf is a game that mirrors life because it requires constant focus for success, and making the turn wisely means preparing for the difficult holes ahead and practicing those relaxed-muscle swings that always made for better shots. The seasoned golfers always reminded me to “let the club do the work.”
Jesus tells me something very similar on a regular basis. “Stop trying so hard, and let Me do the work.” When I heed those words, my life is always better. I still have to focus my attention on Him, and learning to play each stroke of life in submission to Him requires a lifetime of practice, but God has all the time in the world, so that’s not a big deal.
Recently, I had the task and privilege of giving my mother’s eulogy. In the last moments before taking to the pulpit, I reminded God that I had plenty of time for crying, but I needed to be able to talk in the coming moments. Because of His perfectly-timed strength, I was able to properly honor my mother and share sweet memories with those in attendance.
God always has what we need when we need it, if we are willing to let Him call the shots and make things happen. Whatever your struggle is today, loosen your grip on the situation, relax your muscles and swing with all of the might the Lord gives you. You will like the results and God will be glorified in your life, no matter what, as you choose to trust Him.
Never give up or stop asking for His help and purpose in your life. You are sure to make many mistakes and hit some bad shots, but practicing dependence upon Him will eventually give you the perfect swing and help you to hear the unmistakable sound of hitting the “sweet spot” of His perfect will. When you make your final turn, you’ll be so glad you did. It’s the only way to play the game.