Love's Sweet Assurance

I enjoy watching golf, partly because it's so easy

to get emotionally connected to the highs and lows

of those little white balls and the drivers behind them...

I also find so many metaphors for life in the game

with its challenging courses, 

the exhilaration of an eagle, 

and the frustration of the bogie

What a competition it was last week

 for all who participated in the Players Championship 

finally completed on Monday!

And of course, tears at both ends of the emotional spectrum;

Anhirban Lahiri's tears of disappointment in loss...

and Cameron Smith's tears of joy in victory!

(Big hug from mom)

Cameron Smith, when interviewed, told reporters that the

joy of the win is secondary to the joy of being able to see

his mom and sister face to face for the first time in two years

due to covid restrictions.(he now lives in Florida)

 (smiles and tears from girlfriend, sister and mother)

His mother and sister flew in from Australia a few hours earlier

to share what turned out to be a celebration with the Champion!

Isn't it wonderful to have love's sweet assurance no matter 

what the results of a day's effort brings?

Love shares in both highs and lows of life💓💔

Here's to all our personal 'Sawgrass 17th holes' 

We are all in a Challenge with very grave stakes...

Imagine if we put the time and passion/effort into training like top athletes do!

And for the victor, oh the joy of that face to face meeting at last!

This life of highs and lows composes opportunity

To help us stop to smell the roses midst adversity

To let our words and meditation honor He who grants

His gift of grace, salvation, to the sinner who repents

This life of hope and heartache is a course of down-and-up

One copes with loss and heartbreak while one hoists the winner’s cup

But all of us are equal in the eyes of He who holds

Soul’s very sacred sequel to Time’s very temp’ral molds

This life of want and wonder thunders with faith’s wait-and-see

Time’s little haunt of hunger harbours immortality

Where the gift of salvation is no temporary prize

But seals our vindication through Lamb’s blood that justifies

This life of Good misunderstood and dreams never come true

Could drive us to despair and would faith’s quest for Best undo

Without love's sweet assurance proclaimed by Jesus, our Lord

All who run with endurance will receive Endless Reward

© Janet Martin

Heb.12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 

let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. 

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, 

scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, 

so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Blessed Assurance