My daughter and I just came off the disc golf course at Heritage Park in Ankeny, Iowa. It was a beautiful day, the course was busy and I was feeling great. In fifteen holes (baskets) I had played 2 under par. I wish I could do that good at regular golf, but maybe this is the sport for me.
I have never been an athlete, though I have tried out for many sports. In my forties I have been coming into my own. I love bicycling, canoeing and have enjoyed golf, but this disc golf has become my favorite. It’s free – that’s a bonus. I get a good walk in and am building up my arm strength with disc throws. The main thing, is that it connects me with my 22 year old son and 20 year old daughter. It seems disc golf is a sport for college age people. I’ve never taken my kids fishing and they didn’t take to bicycling or golf, so this has been great to get outdoors, get some exercise and spend quality time with my young adult children.
The bible says we should excel. “Since you excel in so many waysin your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from usI want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8.7 I believe it can be good and healthy to excel at sports, but I think for life, it is even more important to excel at relationships and eternal matters.
What sport do you play? What do you excel at? How goes your relationship with those closest to you? Do you excel at your faith?
I used to wrestle, and that is something I share now with my son Morgan. You are right in that it is way better to excel at relationships and eternal matters – everything else burns up in the end.
I try to live a life of balance (not that it is every perfectly achieved). My relationship with Christ is first and foremost, my family, friends, ministry, but I also find that we often neglect taking care of ourselves physically. Being committed to being a steward of everything God has given me I see now (I didn’t always) the importance of a proper diet and exercise. I dropped 80 lbs and feel like I have more energy for ministry and family.
Wow! I’m not even going to be able to catch up with you if you keep getting better.
Seriously though, it’s more fun disc golfing with you than the friends I had in college. The game isn’t what matters but the time spent together is invaluble. Thanks for being a great dad!