Let’s say for a moment, you are one of the best golfers in the world.
Now imagine that you have an opportunity to win the one major tournament you have been waiting to win. This tournament has been your professional desire. It is this tournament where you have a record six runners up finishes, but this year you have a good chance of winning. But there is a problem.
The day of the tournament, your daughter has a high school graduation.
What would you choose?
Phil Mickelson faced this problem in 2017. June 15th was drawing closer and he had to make a choice. He had been runner-up six times at the U.S. Open. In 2017 Phil Mickelson had a great opportunity to win the U.S. Open, but at the same time of the tournament, his daughter would give the commencement speech at the senior class president.
What would you choose?
Would you choose the chance of winning, or a family event?
Mr. Mickelson withdrew from the tournament and Robert Diaz would take his place. Two weeks before the U.S. Open, Phil Mickelson spoke about the scheduling conflict and offered these comments,
“It’s a tournament that I want to win the most, the only way to win is if you play and have a chance. But this is one of those moments where you look back on life and you just don’t want to miss it. I’ll be really glad that I was there and present.”
Life comes with hard decisions. Phil Mickelson choose family over profession.
Would you do the same?
As fathers, our children are watching our every move.
Just a thought,
Source: https://www.espn.com/golf/usopen17/story/_/id/19641956/phil-mickelson-officially-withdraws-2017-us-open
As David is drawing near death, he speaks words to his son Solomon, challenging him as a man, as a ruler, and as David’s son. His words, as a father and a King, challenge Solomon to carry on the work that is being done, so Solomon’s family will have a legacy on the throne given to David by God.
“When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the LORD may establish his word that he spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons pay close attention to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’” (1 Kings 2:1-4)
Notice from the text, David tells Solomon to do three things:
- Act Responsibly – Solomon is to be strong, show himself to be a man and keep the charge of the Lord. David wants Solomon to be a powerful leader of the people and take the male responsibility of being King.
- Walk with God – David knew what it was like to walk with God. David had walked with God, and he knew the blessings of someone committed to God.
- Hear David’s Commands – I wonder, if later, Solomon reflected on David’s words when he wrote Proverbs 1.8-9.
Fathers, are we challenging (charging) our children like David did Solomon?
Just a thought,
A few years ago, I ran across this brief story and found it moving and making a great point each person can understand. I cannot remember where I first heard the story, but it concreted itself in my mind. I have used variations of it before and every time someone comes up after the lesson to thank me for the illustration. I tell them it is not mine and I am sure the original author would appreciate it.
The link below is to a version of the story.
A gentleman was flying on an airplane when the plane ran into some turbulence. At first, no one was too alarmed, thinking that the rough patch would soon be past. However, the plane continued to be rocked and swayed by the powerful currents all around it. As the man looked around at the other passengers, he could see the fear rising in the eyes of those closest to him. The plane continued to dip and roll with the unstable environment it was flying in.
All of a sudden, this man’s eyes fell on a young girl who seemed to be all alone with no adult near her. He watched her as she sat reading her book during the frightening journey. She would look down at her book and then raise her head and close her eyes. After a few moments, she would look back down at the book again. She repeated this pattern throughout the turbulence. What struck the man observing her was the little girl’s calm demeanor while those much older than she were visibly shaken.
The plane landed safely on the tarmac some time later. The passengers were grateful to be on solid ground again. The gentleman decided to let everyone else in the plane disembark as he stayed behind to talk to the young girl. He smiled as he approached her, still sitting calmly in her seat.
“I have a question,” he said to her.
“I was wondering how you were able to stay so calm during the turbulence we went through in the air when so many adults were afraid.”
The little girl looked up at the man and said simply,
“My daddy is the pilot of this airplane. He told me he was taking me home.”
(Source: http://esengoministries.blogspot.com/2009/09/pilot.html)
Hope this stirs your mind for this coming Father’s day.
Just my thoughts,
