Parkinson’s Awareness Month – Forgiveness
In honor of April being Parkinson’s Awareness Month, I want to share some things that Parkinson’s has either taught me, or reminded me about every now and then.
One of the activities I enjoyed prior to being diagnosed with PD was golf (if you can call what I did golf). I was never very good and some people didn’t like to play with me because any sport I try to play or broadcast, I was an avid rulebook reader. When I would try to enforce a rule, I was often told to hush and just have fun and play golf.
One “rule” (it is actually more of a courtesy) concerns replacing ball marks on the green from your ball hitting the green in flight. I rarely had to worry about this but I was prepared if I ever did. I studied the proper way to do it, carried around a divot repair tool in my pocket to practice. One day! One day I would hit a green from the fairway and make a ball mark and would need my divot repair tool.
I am sure if you look in some people's pockets you will find some interesting things. Gum, mints, a pocket knife, finger nail clippers, money clip, change, the list could go on and on. Since 1985, I have carried that divot repair tool in my pocket. Even though I stopped playing golf in 2013.
I carry it around to remind me that sometimes I hurt people, either with words or actions. I create a divot in their life. That divot needs to be repaired and since I caused it I need to ask for forgiveness and rectify the situation. But also, when golfers come to a green and there are divots that they didn't cause, they go ahead and repair them anyway. So each day I try to make sure I repair the divots I caused and look for other divots that need repairing.
Sometimes we all need reminders of our duties as Christians. My divot repair tool helps remind me to show the love of Jesus in my life. I have created a lot of divots in life and I have tried to repair them all. I know I have fallen short and that creates a divot in God's eyes. But I am so grateful that God repairs my divots. He forgives me and loves me unconditionally.
We not only seek forgiveness, but are also to give it. Regardless of the offense. Many of us have what we call “The Lord’s Prayer” memorized. But do you know that Jesus said right after He gave that model prayer?
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
Jesus took forgiveness pretty serious. I think we should as well.
God bless and thanks for reading.
One of the activities I enjoyed prior to being diagnosed with PD was golf (if you can call what I did golf). I was never very good and some people didn’t like to play with me because any sport I try to play or broadcast, I was an avid rulebook reader. When I would try to enforce a rule, I was often told to hush and just have fun and play golf.
One “rule” (it is actually more of a courtesy) concerns replacing ball marks on the green from your ball hitting the green in flight. I rarely had to worry about this but I was prepared if I ever did. I studied the proper way to do it, carried around a divot repair tool in my pocket to practice. One day! One day I would hit a green from the fairway and make a ball mark and would need my divot repair tool.
I am sure if you look in some people's pockets you will find some interesting things. Gum, mints, a pocket knife, finger nail clippers, money clip, change, the list could go on and on. Since 1985, I have carried that divot repair tool in my pocket. Even though I stopped playing golf in 2013.
I carry it around to remind me that sometimes I hurt people, either with words or actions. I create a divot in their life. That divot needs to be repaired and since I caused it I need to ask for forgiveness and rectify the situation. But also, when golfers come to a green and there are divots that they didn't cause, they go ahead and repair them anyway. So each day I try to make sure I repair the divots I caused and look for other divots that need repairing.
Sometimes we all need reminders of our duties as Christians. My divot repair tool helps remind me to show the love of Jesus in my life. I have created a lot of divots in life and I have tried to repair them all. I know I have fallen short and that creates a divot in God's eyes. But I am so grateful that God repairs my divots. He forgives me and loves me unconditionally.
We not only seek forgiveness, but are also to give it. Regardless of the offense. Many of us have what we call “The Lord’s Prayer” memorized. But do you know that Jesus said right after He gave that model prayer?
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
Jesus took forgiveness pretty serious. I think we should as well.
God bless and thanks for reading.
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