ON THE GOLF COURSE OF LIFE

This is one of the few sports where a negative symbol beside your number/score makes you happy and a plus symbol not so much. The moral to the story - "Less is more."

In this life of fewest strokes to our destination or goal we can choose to keep playing Putt-Putt with the one club that is offered us or opt to use the full set of tools in the real game when it is appropriate to begin playing the full course. Did you catch my symbolism there? In Hebrews 5:13, Paul speaks to this maturity level check and transition - "Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness." Again in 1 Corinthians 3:2, Paul makes this point - "I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready." It is important to move on in maturity and just as important to know when to move on. Sometimes this comes with age. Sometimes this comes with nurturing. Sometimes this comes with the environment around us. Sometimes this comes with all of the above. However, the notable thing about the game of golf is you will never see the athlete alone.

The caddie and the golfer. The caddie has actually had some experience playing golf and brings that knowledge and track record to the table when he/she is paired up with the golfer for a tournament, a season or a career. The other responsibilities of the caddie come with the territory - carrying the golf bag, citing distances, suggesting club(s), noticing wind direction, and cheer-leading. The golfer and the caddie have their own language they use to briefly communicate the desired club and the kind of shot needed. Then the golfer is the one that pulls-the-trigger on the physical action to hopefully deliver the desired outcome of their decision.

Life is like this picture of a golfer and his/her caddie, especially if you are married or have a best friend. Challenges come in life that require a certain tact or approach and consultation is a must. If the "Golfer" in the relationship makes a major decision and acts on it without the advice of the "Caddie" friction is risked and you rely on the strength of your relationship to continue. However, if you have as the foundation of your relationship the Architect of the course (i.e. God) then your relationship should be solid and your "golf game" good, especially if you include the Architect in your consultations.

Some people choose to live life alone (play Putt-Putt; no true partner) and the benefits of a caddie in life are missed. I step back and acknowledge there are some situations that will not lend itself to these parameters. However, for the rest of those that this applies - I can't begin to imagine what conditions would be like without my partner, Tanya, On The Golf Course Of Life.