Last weekend, Joy Lutheran Church held its annual golf scramble. In the goodie packages, the organizers had attached a short devotional entitled “Mulligans.” No, this was not meant to allow us to use golf mulligans as we played, but to illustrate in golf speak God’s grace in the form of “Do Overs.”

Our loving God hands out these mulligans on a regular basis. Every time we fail to live our lives according to His teachings, recognize this failure and ask for forgiveness, we get the opportunity to try again with a clean slate.

I am an indifferent golfer. Sometimes I play well, other times awfully! I have found, however, that when using a mulligan, I often make the same mistake as in the original swing. The ball will go in the same wrong direction or even worse. Just like life! So, what does this mean?

For me, it means that I need to take my time and treasure the mulligan as the opportunity that it is. A chance to get “it” right, whether that “it” is a golf swing or a change of heart. I need to prepare myself by asking for help from the best source – Jesus. He never fails to send a response. It may not be the shot that I want, but the consolation of not being alone in this trek is worth the effort.

The other lesson which I took away from this devotional, was to share the mulligans. Share them generously with all whom we meet along the way. This giving of God’s grace to others in the form of forgiveness, patience and love will erode the barriers that keep us apart. I am convinced of that fact.

Mulligans may not make me a better golfer, but the ones I give away can help make me a better Christian. Here’s the best part, it doesn’t matter it you do this correctly because God loves you unconditionally, no matter what!

Read Romans 8:31-39.

Terri