Golfing with Richard

I like to golf. How much do I like to golf, my bachelor party was me playing golf with my cousin Kelly, my uncle Ralph and my good friend Jeff. I'm not good though. The best I've shot was a 54, then I moved to the second hole. Seriously, the best I've shot was a four under. One under the bush, one under the tree, and two under the water. I judge my golfing expeditions not by score, but by how many balls I lose. If I lose 3 or less, it's a good day, 4-7 is an average day, 8 or more. . . I'm just thankful that I buy the dollar balls out of the lost box.
There is one person who I truly loved to golf with. Richard Palmer. Now as many know, he had a stroke a few weeks ago. He is recovering at the pace that God wants him to recover, that is something that I am learning, since I am selfish and I want him to recover rather quickly.
I can say I learned a lot about life and the ministry while on a golf course with Richard. He was giving me ministerial advice long before I even felt I was called into the ministry. While golfing, Richard had only 3 rules, and as I think back on those rules, they also should be applied to life.
Rule number 1: Have fun. He would say to me, if you're not having fun, don't do it. The same can hold true for so many aspects of our lives. If it's not fun, why continue to do it. God wants us to be blessed and he wants us to be full of joy, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11 NIV)
Rule number 2: In order to ensure rule number 1, improve your lay. We weren't playing in tournaments. We were out having a good time. Instead of getting frustrated because we hit the ball in the deep rough, just flip it out onto the fairway. If you wanted to, go ahead and tee up wherever you are located.
God wants us to improve our life. We do that by coming to Him through His Son. God wants us to discard our sinful nature and live according to His Spiritual nature, “For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:13,14 NIV)
Rule number 3: In order to ensure rules number 1 and 2, don't keep score. This is one reason why I don't judge my golf game based on score, but by balls lost. I had no idea what I shot, but I know how many times I had to dig in my bag. More importantly though, if we are to have an intimate relationship with anyone, we must never keep score. Love does not keep track of wrongs committed, “It (love) is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV) Don't keep score of anyone, no matter who wronged you feel.
As much as I like to golf, I haven't golfed since August 10, 2007 (my bachelor party). I haven't golfed with Richard since 1999. I am fortunate enough to have played with him and to soak in a lot of his wisdom. I am in continuous prayer that he will be well again. I really could use more of his wisdom now.

Added note: I wrote this on Tuesday, April 28th. It appeared in the Friday May 1st edition of the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle. On Sunday May 3rd, Richard was healed completely. He was called home at 8:00 in the evening. Though we mourn physically, we rejoice in our spirit.