Enjoy the Round

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. (1 Peter 3:8-11 ESV).

I recently read a wonderful story written about James Dobson’s father that illustrates the truth that the Scripture teaches in our text this morning. It follows:

James Dobson’s father was well known for his incredibly upbeat attitude about life. In fact, James even nicknamed him “Opti the Mystic.” James’ dad had a great passion for golf, a game that tends to wreak havoc with even the mildest tempered types of personalities. When his dad began teaching him the game, he didn’t stress scoring or technique at all. He approached the game with only one rule: “Relax, enjoy the round. The game ends far too soon.” When James’ father reached his 80’s, he became weak and ill, and then contracted aggressive cancer. James decided that was the time for he and his father to realize their life long dream of playing the greatest course in the world, the St. Andrew’s in Scotland. The two men traveled first to England to play a few courses and sightsee. One day, they met with a couple of English women. In the course of their conversation, one of the women mentioned a recent D-Day memorial service, and its touching tribute to the bomber incident. At this, James’ father lost all color. He had served some time in England in World War II, and he knew what the women were talking about.

He took James to an old church, where a plaque was located with the names of thirty-eight victims of a wartime bombing accident. And there he told James the story. During the war, an American bomber had accidentally crashed into a local school, killing thirty-eight children. James’ father was one of the first soldiers on the scene, and he was put to work cleaning up the area. It was horrible to see the decimated, burnt bodies of dozens of schoolchildren. This experience deeply changed him. He realized that life was full of pain, and that joy was a deliberate choice. This was why he had chosen to be happy every day.

The two men got the chance to play a glorious round together on St. Andrew’s course in Scotland. As they reached the 18th hole, James’ dad remarked, “Call me sentimental, but I think it’s been one hell of a journey.” When James complained about a few of the unpleasant aspects of their travel, his father replied, “You’re talking about the trip. I’m talking about the journey.” James’ dad died a few months later, and James returned to St. Andrew’s to scatter his father’s ashes. While there, he happened on an eleven-year-old Scottish boy who had not had a successful day golfing. James’ advice to the young boy would have made his father proud: “That’s okay. Enjoy it. The game ends too soon, you know.”

“Work hard at living at peace with others.” That’s the real key to enjoying the round! The game does end so soon for all of us. Begin to enjoy your journey today with a commitment to recognize the marvelous diversity God has placed all around you. Celebrate life today with all of its many changes. Enjoy the journey!