And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24, 25, ESV)
“I am fighting my swing!” “I am struggling with my game!” “I can’t seem to find it!” “I missed everything today!” “I three-putted twice on the back side!” “Nothing I try helps!” “After today’s round, I should consider bowling!”
Just guessing, but some of these summary evaluations of the golf swing or recent rounds might describe your feelings toward the game on a few isolated occasions. Hopefully, they don’t represent the last six months.
Whether it was one round or a string of rounds, it is easy to get discouraged about the state of your game. I once had a friend say to me after a particularly awful round, “Cheer up, I heard Jack Nicklaus say, ‘golf is hard!’” He meant well, but his words fell woefully short of buoying my distraught soul.
However, through the years and on rare occasions, I’ve had friends make positive comments about my grip or a particular aspect of my game, and those comments remain with me to this day. Words matter!
We had a little jingle when we were kids: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I beg to differ!
Countless times throughout my journey in life, on and off the golf course, words spoken by a friend or foe either discouraged me or gave me that positive reinforcement needed to take the next step.
Words are powerful things! They can heal! They can destroy! Winston Churchill buoyed an entire nation with a speech. Coaches turn the second half of a football game around by saying the right thing at the right time.
Depending on your constitution, a disparaging word might rouse you to action. When Arnie overheard Bob Drum’s disparaging comment about his improbable odds of winning the U.S. Open at Cherry Hills, Arnie decided to prove him wrong. Words, in that scenario, proved to be just what he needed to jump-start his final round.
Generally speaking, though, a good word in season can change a man or woman’s entire outlook. Let a kid hear his dad bragging about him, and he will walk a little taller for weeks, maybe for the rest of his life.
In this week’s video, Danny Edwards mentioned how discouraged he was after being on the PGA Tour for several years. No matter our station in life, we are vulnerable to discouragement.
I am a blessed man for “a thousand reasons.” I have an extraordinary wife. I have two children with whom I could not be any prouder, a daughter and son-in-law who have exceeded my wildest expectations, and parents who belong on the Mount Rushmore of Parents.
Looking back over the years, it has occurred to me that my father had any number of strengths. He is 92 years old and still going strong! At the top of the list is his ability to encourage others. He sees the best in people. Sometimes, so much so that what he sees is not there. As it turns out, he doesn’t see what people are in the moment; he sees what they can become.
His second son is a case in point. I am half the man he told me I was and twice the man I would have been without his encouragement. Once, a long time ago, at my grandparent’s 50th anniversary, I expressed wanting to be half the man my dad was. My Uncle Billy, a funny, funny man, responded with, “be prepared for disappointment.” Uncle Billy was right!
Jesus! Teach us how to speak words of encouragement into the life of others.