Golf and Being Seen

The other day I was at golf “Boot Camp” with my friend.  I’m a little embarrassed to admit it because golf does not sound very cool and does sound frivolous, but that’s the truth.

At one point the pro came and stood behind me. 

I said, “Ok, watch and tell me what I’m doing wrong.”

She said, “No, I’m going to tell you what you’re doing right.”

Wow, that’s different.

There’s always so much to correct.  I’m forever focusing on the negative – what needs to be fixed in my golf game…and in me.

In “real life” too.  I focus on all that is un-Jesus-y in me and I realize that I think that must be what catches all His attention too.

But 2 Chronicles 16:9 says “the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”

Reading that, I picture a dad on the sidelines of his 5-year-old’s soccer game, intent on finding the positives to call out in his son.  Sometimes it’s just “Way to go!  You’re running towards the right goal!!”

I like the golf pro who was helping us at Boot Camp.  After a bit, everything seemed to come together and the ball was actually going where it was supposed to go and going about as far as I could expect it to.  At least for the moment.

At that point I had two natural reactions.  The first was to think Jesus might be returning because this was unprecedented.

The second was to instinctively look around for John to see if he saw my good shots.  He wasn’t anywhere in sight, but that’s always my instinct.  He’s such a cheerleader for me…always excited at my progress.  I want him to see me.  To be proud.

Don’t we all want to be “seen”?  To have someone notice, and applaud our baby steps of progress?

Almost as soon as I looked for John, it was like Jesus whispered, “He’s not here, but I see you.  Whether in golf, or “real life” I always see and I’m for you.” 

Amazing.