Once Upon a Time
Once Upon a Time, the best time to play golf was in the summer. Winter in Florida is frequented by snowbirds, those folks who wintered in Florida and summered up north. Our friends from the north also frequented the golf course or country club as we called it in our town. In the winter season, prices were too steep to play golf. So, we waited until the summertime when the prices were reasonable. But there was another catch. In the summertime, the cost to golf even 9 holes was still pretty pricey in the morning hours, which meant we waited until the afternoon for the cheap tee times.
The afternoon tee times were more affordable for us newlyweds, but it came with a few hazards; unmitigated, smothering heat and lightning.
Florida summers bring afternoon thunderstorms. Thunder and lightning storms. That long metal club quickly becomes a rod of conduction that no one wants at the end of their arm. Afternoon thunderstorms make way to even more humidity, and if you were not already drenched with sweat before the storm, you were sure to be soaked afterwards. But the afternoon tee time plus the cost to play equaled a memorable time together. It was a perfect marriage of skill and drive. He drove the golf ball while I drove the golf cart.
Those moments were intentional. There was purpose in our time. Not every event or moment has a purpose in mind. Our time is intentional when we are in conversation with each other, or we are seated around the dining table sharing a meal with the family. This is how we tell those we are with that they are important and there is nowhere else we would rather be. We are fully present. Soon, you will wonder as you look back where all the time went. “It seems like yesterday”… “I can’t believe she or he is gone”… “my babies grew up so fast”… “what happened to the time?”
Life gives us moments. And the moments with our spouse, our family, and friends can only be experienced once. Each moment is an opportunity for us as believers to “be imitators of God… and to walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, a fragrant offering and a sacrifice to God.” ( Ephesians 5:1-2)
As we look to Resurrection Sunday, Christ’s death upon the cross for the sins of the world is a moment in time. When Peter ran to the tomb and saw that Christ was not there, another moment in time. A moment in time for me was when I saw my own needs and invited Him into my life to be my Lord and Savior. These are ‘once upon a time’ moments. Who are we imitating? How are we spending our time with our family?
There are no mulligans. No do-overs. ‘Once upon a time’ means just that. Once. If you only get one chance with each moment in life, how will you spend it with you spouse? With your children? Be an imitator of God, make each moment count, and be present where you are.
Tracy Murray and her husband Wendell are founders of Family Leadership Podcast and Family Leadership Element, where they teach parents to lead their families and leave a legacy for generations to come. You can follow them on social media @familyleadershippodcast or www.familyleadershipelement.com.
