Early last week at the PGA Championship, before Scottie Scheffler found himself at the center of chaos and in a jail cell in Louisville, he spoke with the media for the first time about being a dad.
Days after wife Meredith gave birth to their son, Bennett, Scheffler found himself packing up to go to work.
“I miss him like crazy,” Scheffler said on Tuesday. “It was not easy to leave the house Monday morning.”
“I told my son as I was leaving, I was like, I don’t want to leave you right now, but I need to. I’m called to do my job to the best of my ability, and I felt like showing up Wednesday night wouldn’t really be doing myself a service this week when it comes to playing and competing in the tournament, so I had to show up, especially with the weather forecast, showing up, being prepared and ready to play and being back home as quick as I can.”
He had no idea what was to come on that work trip, of course. He just knew he was called to do both jobs – be a dad and a PGA Tour player – and he was called to do both to the best of his ability.
For anyone who works outside the home, and especially for those who travel for work, it’s hard to leave. But that word “calling” carries great weight. It’s a reminder that our vocations are no accidents. There’s a purpose and an opportunity to every assignment, and the effort we put in impacts generations.
In 1 Chronicles 22, David has purchased a plot of land to build a temple. But the Lord told David that it would be his son Solomon who would ultimately carry out the task. David set out to get everything ready, preparing large amounts of iron, bronze, and cedar logs.
David said to Solomon: “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God. But this word of the Lord came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight. But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’” – 1 Chronicles 22:7-10
Sometimes, when talking to the parents of great players, I often think about all the behind-the-scenes decisions that led to this moment. The bricks that were laid to build the foundation that led to something extraordinary.
“I have to go now, but I’ll be back as quick as I can.”
In Scheffler’s case, it was his mom, Diane, who would’ve said that. The family moved from New Jersey to Texas so that Diane could take a job as COO of a law firm in Dallas. That kickstarted a chain of events in Scottie’s life that led him to Royal Oaks Country Club and Randy Smith, his longtime instructor.
Scheffler’s father assumed stay-at-home duties to look after the four children. So many bricks laid by many to prepare the next generation for their unique callings.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for these sacred assignments and the strength and courage to say yes. We know there’s difficulty in every calling, and we are grateful that you’ve gone before us to prepare the way.