On a recent outing my husband and I took our granddaughters, ages 9 and 6, to play miniature golf. The oldest was excited about playing, but the youngest, not so much. She said, “I don’t want to play, I’ll just watch.” I finally asked her why she didn’t want to play. Her answer as she looked down was, “I’m not good at it.”
Now this girl is extremely competitive.
She takes that after her dad, our son in law. She LOVES playing games like UNO, Trouble, Go Fish, etc. and she loves winning. (Who doesn’t, right?) But she REALLY loves winning. When she was a bit younger, instead of playing on her own, she would play on “someone’s team.” This simply meant that she would “help and watch.” If the person she was “helping” didn’t win the round of whatever game we were playing, she would switch to be on the winner’s “team”. Now she plays on her own and is really quite good at playing these games.
We have taken her to play miniature golf before and it was just not her thing. She would get frustrated and she didn’t enjoy it like she enjoys other games. I encouraged her this time that we would have a fun time and to give it another try. But for her, someone who loves winning, she felt defeated before she ever began. Have you ever felt defeated before you ever started something? I have!
Let me preface the next part by saying this. I love to play miniature golf, but I am not a golfer and I do not know the correct golf terminology. 😊
We arrive at the miniature golf course, picked our clubs and ball color then headed to the first hole. It was decided that the youngest would go first. She placed her ball down and stood there. Not in the right place. Not in the proper form. Not holding the club properly. She looked at the hole which was about a straight 25 to 30 foot shot. She threw her club to the ground and said, “I can’t do it.” Not having a tantrum or anything, but just simply stating her frustration and her lack of ability to play.
I picked up her club and showed her how to stand. I showed her how to hold the club. I could sense she wasn’t buying it and was still frustrated. So I stood behind her and placed her hands on the club in the proper form. And as calmly as I could, I encouraged her and placed my hands over hers. I told her to look at the hole and back at her club. Then together we made the putt.
Do you want to know what happened?
The ball went straight into the hole!! It didn’t circle around it and then go in, it didn’t bounce off the wall and then go in. It went straight to and in the hole! 25 to 30 feet!
Let me tell you. That was one VERY EXCITED little girl! (I was excited too as it was fun to have a hand in the perfect putt!) Her sister was praising her. My husband and I were praising her, and she was dancing around like she had just won a toy lottery! High fives all around!
During the remainder of the game, did she always stand correctly before each putt? No. Did she always hold the club properly? No. Did she get any more hole in ones? No. She had a few holes that only took two putts but most of the time it was WAY over that. But it didn’t matter to her anymore. She had a boost of confidence!! Her frustration was defeated. She was having a good time. (Which was the point, right?)
She learned a valuable lesson that day.
I think she learned how important it is to not give up to frustrations and lack of ability. She learned to be patient and open to instruction.
But it reminded me of something.
Just like my granddaughter loved to be on the “winning” team, we are on the winning team in Christ. And in the uncertainties of this world we now live, it is important to be on the winning team – team Jesus. We know how the story ends. We know WHO wins in the end! How comforting is that? How reassuring it is to know that and rest in that promise.
I was also reminded that just like I surrounded her and held my hands over hers and calmly comforted and encouraged her, God does that to us. He surrounds us. He is with us. He comforts and encourages us. I can just picture him surrounding me. Can you? I know sometimes life is hard. We go through so much…. struggle, frustration, disappointment, fear, loss, heartache. But to KNOW that he is right there with us is so comforting. And while we can’t hear him verbally speak to us, his word does. We can rely on that.
Jesus said that we will have troubles, but he gave us scripture to help us and bring us comfort.
I will leave a few scripture verses for you. Scripture that can bring comfort for those days and seasons of struggle. Comfort for those times of frustration, fear, loss, heartache, and disappointment. Scripture that will remind us Who is in control and who NEVER leaves us and Who WINS!
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart my fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. DO not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Deuteronomy 31:8 Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
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