Dance and Mourn

I am reading a book entitled Breaking the Slump by Jimmy Roberts. The book is a collection of interviews from professional golfers. In the book they discuss life lessons they learned while going through a slump. I am really enjoying it and I recommend it to golf fans, sports fans, and any type of leader.

Paul Azinger in chapter 1 of the book talks about how he deals with the death of his close friend and colleague Payne Stewart. Stewart, also a professional golfer, died in a plane crash and it devastated Azinger. At Azinger's home there is a path he designed that leads down to the lake. The first steps down to the lake have hard, smooth stones perfectly placed. But then you encounter a gap where there is only crushed coral beneath your feet. In a home that was planned out to the smallest details, this mistake has it's purpose. "I left that stone out," says Azinger, "so I'll remember Payne every time I come out here."

For Paul Azinger the path back to overcoming slumps in golf and in life might seem complete, but he'll never forget that something is missing.

Like Paul Azinger I have a walking stick in the corner of my bedroom. Every time I see it I am reminded of my grandfather, Pop, who has been with Jesus since 1991. I always want to remember him. I am very grateful for the time I had with him, at the same time I know there is something missing. One day I will be hanging out with him again. He used to laugh and yell my name out, I miss that, and can't wait to hear it again.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:17, "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge and you did not mourn." Jesus was correcting the attitudes of the Pharisees in this passage. The Pharisees did not really know how to live because the ignored all human emotions. They refused to let God heal the broken places in their lives that they needed to mourn over. Also, they refused to really rejoice about the good gifts that God had given to them. They did not act like the Heavenly Father.

So I encourage you Living Hope to be completely alive. Mourn like you really loved the person you are mourning over. Cry out to God in your mourning and allow him to comfort you. Then when it's time to celebrate, do it with all your heart as well. Jesus has come that we might have life and have it to the fullest.

I love you.

In Jesus' Service,