Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday April 27, 2006

While talking with an old friend about an absent old friend, yep, we preachers are usually talking about one who is not present, my friend said, "And I said to him, Doc is the kind of guy who can fall into a sewer and come out smelling like roses." I assured him that as we both know I had fallen into a figurative sewer and I don't smell like roses as yet, but I have shucked the sewer odor and now smell a little like masculine after shave.

When you find yourself in a sewer, real or figurative, you have two choices, learn to like the sewer or do what it will take to get out of the sewer. I chose the latter and it is taking time to again smell like roses, but cheap after shave is better than aroma of septic tank.

In my journey I have met many men and women whom I deem courageous. I try to emulate them rather than the thumb suckers and whiners.

I read just this morning of a courageous man featured in Mark Frost's book, "Grand Slam" the story of Bobby Jones, the only man in the history of golf to win all four major tournaments in the same calendar year. His son Bert, was a decent quarterback for the Colts prior to their departure from Baltimore in the middle of the night.

Bobby Jones suffered with a rare disease called Syringomyelia, a terminal disease of the spine. Over the course of twenty three years, Bobby went from golfing champion to a cane, to leg braces and then the ultimate wheel chair. A friend asked Bobby if there was a cure for the affliction to which Jones replied, "Yes, yes there is." The friend asked; "My word, man what is it?" Jones stoically answered, "Death."

Bobby Jones did not live in the Egyptian river, denial, he faced his affliction head on with faith in the Lord. And often comforted his family and friends with a lesson he knew well from golf:

"You play the ball where it lies."

Most of us want the ball within 7 inches of the cup, for any farther would demand that we make a record putt. Life, like golf seldom gives you the 'gimmee' shot. And in golf and life you are going to miss your fair share of opportunities along the way. Standing in the rough and wishing your ball was on the green hunkered up close to the cup is a nice thought, but you will die in the weeds or the snakes will get you. You have to take the shot you have and if you are like me hit the ball over the fairway into the rough on the other side, and then try again. I actually hit the ball out of the rough and onto the green once. Ah, memories are so precious.

Today, whether your ball is on the green or in the rough, play the ball where it lies and take your best shot. Jesus Christ will help you to learn from the tough ones. The game goes on and so does life.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2006 Use with credit.

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