BIRDIES, FUNNY HUGS, & A LEGACY

I like golf.

In order to fully understand this statement you have to understand my family. There may be more single digit handicap golfers (pretty darn good players) in my family than in any other family not named Nicklaus. A few of us played college golf and several hold multiple trophies representing various victories. I am neither the best nor the worst of the group and quite content with it. My days of playing a few times a week are over. But I enjoy the time that I do play because I know I just won't get that many chances. So when the opportunity presented itself for me to go away a couple of weekends ago to Knoxville to play with some of my co-workers, I was very eager. The weather was delightful, my playing group was a lot of fun, and we had some really great food. There was one exception: I missed home. Yeah, it may sound silly to some to think a grown man can't be gone for one night without missing his family. But there are just things about home I realize supercede my desire to play a lot of golf.

My wife and my little Ella Grace dropped me off in Stanford so I could hook up with a co-worker and ride to Tennessee. As I was leaving, Ella asked her Mommy to "please get my Daddy back for me." I pondered her desire for me to stay home. I realized I would be missing our special time putting her to bed. Each night before Ella goes to sleep, we pray together as a family. Our prayer time includes a lot of thankfulness to God for the blessings he poured on us that day. It also includes our prayer for Ella to be saved one day soon. I have recognized my duty as the father and head of my family to be concerned about matters such as this. I want Ella to live a long life of gospel prosperity, one where she considers Christ in all matters, and works diligently in all things to His Glory. Then, I put her to bed with a funny hug. Ella loves this part. It's silly and we all laugh and sometimes it's hard to get her to calm back down for sleep, but I wouldn't ever consider foregoing her request for it. These were moments I missed.



We're a few months into the pregnancy that will yield our second child. It is with great anticipation that we look forward to the Thanksgiving season this year! I am often asked (in light of already having a girl) if I am really hoping for a son; someone who will carry on my name or I can teach various sports. I reflect on those times of prayer with Ella and think about how undeservedly blessed I am to have a fantastic family. I then realize I am less concerned about carrying on the family name (or playing more golf) and more concerned about leaving a legacy of Christ. My prayer is that regardless of the gender of the children God blesses me with, all will one day proclaim Christ as THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life. My desire is for them to love Christ above and beyond anything in this world. I hope to be the influence in their lives that points them to Him. And it is why I will pray everyday for all of my children.



I like golf, but I love Christ and this beautiful thread He is weaving around my family.

Farewell Coach

I anticipate Spring. Many people do. Flowers and trees start blooming, grass grows, the sun shines, and many just enjoy being outdoors. I, however, look forward to Spring for a different reason: softball. Yes, it is the time of the year for me to recapture a little bit of my youthful passion for something comparable to baseball. I grew up deeply believing I would one day take the field for the Cincinnati Reds. It was passion that bordered on obsession. Still today, I can tell you the starting lineup for the Big Red Machine: Rose, Morgan, Griffey, Perez, Foster, Bench, Concepcion, Geronimo, etc. Baseball taught me about teamwork, commitment, and most importantly statistics. How else would I know that in 1941 Ted Williams hit .406 and lost the MVP to Joe DiMaggio because it was the same year of Joltin' Joe's 56 game hitting streak?? Softball revisits old memories for me and stokes a fire still burning for a game that I love.

For the past seven years, I have been privileged to play ball with a group of men from my home church, Ashland Avenue Baptist. What I have especially enjoyed is the strong bond of brotherhood we've been able to create. Many of us are at various stages in life, and I am proud to say I am a senior member (or veteran?). The men of Ashland conduct themselves on the field with competitiveness, integrity, faithfulness, and a deep desire to represent Christ when we're on the field. Believe me when I say this: this is unique in church league softball. There is one particular member who should be singled out and that is Jeremy Wilson. JW has led the team for as long as I have been a part of it. He has tirelessly worked to make sure we have a full roster of players, makes sure we practice, and sees to it everyone knows when we play and what time to be at the field. Last year, this all culminated in a city title and a perfect 14-0 record, for which I couldn't be happier for Jeremy. See, Jeremy is playing his last season with us. He and his family will soon be moving to the Cincinnati area in order for Jeremy to take a new job. It's bittersweet for me. I had hoped we would retire from ball together at AABC. But I am happy for him and grateful for his leadership. I aided him a couple of times when he wasn't able to be at games and believe me there is more work than it appears. So my first blog is an "Ode to Coach." Jeremy will be missed. Farewell my friend. I am thankful to have had this experience along side you.