Proverbs 3:11-12 ... My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.
When I was 18 years old, I had the world figured out.
I had a dream. I had a car. I had a craft. I enjoyed it. I was going places.
It makes me laugh just looking at how many "I's" are in the above phrase.
(There's been some crashes a long the way)
Playing golf and traveling gives me so many opportunities to meet great people, develop relationships and earn fans along the way. Today though, on a rainy New England Friday, I'd like to take a moment to tell you all about my biggest fan.
From my earliest memories of life my dad has always been by my side. I have developed many great relationships along my journey but not one has had a greater impact on me than his. To say I had a blessed childhood because of this man would be a massive understatement. Looking back and thinking over the memories now makes me smile. It would be impossible to to put them all in one blog post. Instead I'll try my best to share some stories with you that exemplify what I mean.
Growing up, my dad wore many different hats.
Family leader.
Provider.
Disciplinarian.
Baseball coach.
Basketball coach.
Football coach.
Golf swing coach. ("shot doctor" as he terms it)
The list could go on..
Thinking back and I can recall so many lessons and moments that define me today. "Always try and do the right thing", "learn from your mistakes", "the value of a hard-earned dollar", "take care of your brother and sister", are all examples.
Thinking back I can remember so many trips in his truck to baseball games, golf tournaments, or just a Sunday morning drive to grab coffee and cruise around town. Those memories are gold to me.
There was the time he showed up unannounced to my first college tournament in Mississippi after he said he wasn't going to be able to make it.
There was the time he told me to "smell the roses" before I won't my first tournament in a playoff.
In a golf context, my favorite memory is from the spring of my middle school years. Each day I would get done with track practice after school and ride my bike home as fast as I could. After all, the snow had just melted and it was golf season. With about two or three hours of daylight left the deal always was if I scooped up the dog poop in the front yard we could go play nine holes. After a sackful of poop we'd throw the clubs in the back of an old beat up Toyota and take the backroad to Monroe for nine holes. It's funny how after all the things I've done chasing this stupid game that is my absolute favorite memory.
However, despite all the love, all the valuable lessons and all the support, I fell into a common mindset that many young adults do. I started to rebel and believe I knew more than my dad. After all he and others didn't understand me, all the knowledge I had acquired, and all the desire I had to be the best at what I did. Did I mention that I'm an idiot sometimes?
I fell into the trap of being independent. Yes, being independent is a trap.
I don't mean that living in your parents basement at 40 is a good thing, I mean that to live a fulfilling life we depend on others just as they depend on us. It's foolish to think that you can do it all by yourself and you don't need help from others. I'm not yet where I want to be in my golf career but I couldn't have even come close to where I'm at now without the help from my dad, mom, family, coaches, teammates, teachers, community, etc. If being independent is the goal, then is being alone the reward? That's not a reward I want.
I needed my dad.
I needed his love.
I needed his discipline.
I needed his guidance.
I needed his comfort.
Sounds an awful lot like the love of another Father I know.
So dad, since I know you're going to read this.. I'm sorry if I ever made you feel like I didn't need you, because I do. Thank you for being the man you are, and raising our family the way you did. I can only hope I have the opportunity to do the same one day.
So Father, since I know you're going to read this.. I'm sorry for falling into the trap of independence. I need you, continually. I cannot do this alone. You are the ultimate goal, and it's You who I strive to depend on and live like. Thank you for providing examples like my dad to go by.
I'm 25 years old. I don't have the world figured out.
God gave me a dream. God provided me with what I need. God gave me craft to master. God gave me a love for what I do. God is leading me around a big ball teaching me lessons along the way.
The journey continues.
Thank you for following, God bless!
