Full Circle

Many people have told me the Lord works in mysterious ways over the course of my life.  Yet, today’s devotion is a true story that testifies to this fact.  Fourteen years ago my grandfather asked my wife and I to play golf at Hershey Country Club.  Since my wife and I are avid golfers, this was an easy decision to make without any children at the time.  However, my wife was 5 months pregnant so she had to get permission from our doctor before we confirmed a date to play in the Spring.

Recently retired, my grandfather got a part time job as a starter at Hershey Country Club so he could play golf every day after work.  One of the perks of his job was having guests join him as we were happy to do.  Before our round, my grandfather proudly showed me his brand new Tommy Armour 845 Irons.  Although my wife and I didn’t play that well, we enjoyed 18 holes of golf on the Old East Course and 9 holes on the new West Course.  Shortly after this round, my grandfather began having foot problems.  One health concern lead to another, ultimately resulting in my grandfather’s death a few years later.

Before he died, my grandfather left his cherished clubs to me in his will, knowing I would appreciate and take care of them.  Thirteen years later, my son decided to try out for his golf team as an 8th grader.  Since I had lost my teaching position prior to the beginning of the season, I couldn’t afford new clubs so I decided to give my son my grandfather’s clubs.  After taking some time to adjust to the weight of steel shafted clubs, my son James, finished 5th in his preseason tournament, earning a spot on the varsity, the top 6 play each match.  In a season of up and downs, last week James’ team qualified for states and he came in tied for 5th in a team qualifier allowing him to play in the Delaware State Golf Tournament next Tuesday and Wednesday.

As for the title, Full Circle, my son was inside of my wife when we played at Hershey Country Club that day.  That round was one of the last rounds of golf my grandfather ever played.  His clubs are now being used in next week’s state tournament.  In closing. God knew I would need those clubs one day to give to my son so he would have a chance to excel at a sport that he loves.  A grandfather passed on a cherished gift to a grandson he saw before his death so that these clubs could make his dream a reality!

by Jay Mankus