I Timothy 4:12. ““…be an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
I’ve often said half-jokingly that after we become “empty nesters” maybe my husband I should take up golf together. They say you should have a common interest that you should do together so that when the kids leave the home, you still have something in common. The more I think about that idea, the less I like it, actually. Truth is, I don’t even like golf on the Wii. I’m sure there’s some hobby we’ll find to do together, but golf is probably not going to be it, given that I’m not one for being out in the Texas heat for hours on end.
Last week I read a book by our friend Peron Jones, The Pole, God’s Mulligan of Grace. (I highly recommend it, and you can purchase it here: http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000499425/The-Pole.aspx) In it, Peron shares the story of his daughter’s near death accident while drinking and driving. He tells how God gave his family a “mulligan” in life. I never heard that term “mulligan” before, until I read the book and really came to grips with the spiritual application that Peron gave it. A mulligan is a golf term. It’s a do-over, a second-chance.
To be honest, since I read the book, I’ve used the term quite often as if I’m an expert on golf terms. You see, my son Jacob starts at a new school today. Last year in 7th grade, he was bullied quite a bit. When we built our house, we ended up moving into a new zone for him, but in order to keep him stable, we opted for an inter-district transfer. That worked great until he entered Junior High, and some of the kids decided he was an easy target. So last year as we prayed through what to do, it was clear that God was leading us to move him to his “assigned campus” – a new school, new friends, new teachers, a new reputation to build. Today is a fresh start for his 8th grade year, as Peron Jones would say, a mulligan.
We’ve explained this term to him and tried to emphasize that we don’t always get do-overs in life, but God has given him an incredible opportunity. He has the chance today to go into school today with no one knowing his history, no one comparing him to his sister, no one knowing anything about him. Almost like entering the witness protection program as a new person. I wrote in his binder a paraphrase from I Timothy 4:12. ““…be an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” If he can really live that out, I know this year will be a great year for him. As he just walked out the door, I told him, “Don’t be a self-promoter, be a God-promoter. The choice is yours.” And so the journey begins for Jacob today. His mulligan of grace.
Jacob Banfill, 1st day of School, 8th Grade
How many times in life does God give us a mulligan? I think about Jonah. He certainly had a mulligan, and he blew it the second time, too. David had a mulligan after his sin with Bathsheba, and he became forever known as the “friend of God.” Saul had one in life. He was the chief persecutor of the Jews, and when God gave him a second chance, he didn’t waste it. He even got a new name, and penned much of the New Testament.
As I think back over my pastor’s sermon yesterday, he said, “God brings opportunities for us to be a part of His plan. If we choose to not take the opportunities, God will still accomplish His will. Nothing can stop God’s plan. But one step of obedience makes the next step easier.” So as I reflect on how far God has worked in Jacob’s life, I can’t help but think how many mulligans God has afforded me, too, as his mom. God wants obedience, and because of His grace, He allows me to have those mulligans in life, to give me a second chance to do things right instead of blowing it. Yes, God often gives us as Peron would say “Mulligans of Grace.” The question is how we, scratch that, I will respond...
-- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com
Recent Comments