Traps

 

One thing I have learned watching my daughter play golf is that everybody ends up in the sand trap from time to time.

Even on the home course where you knew it was.  

Even if you've played that hole without problems before.

But how you respond once you are in there makes a huge difference.  

Getting mad and swinging like crazy usually digs you in deeper.

The best thing to do is to accept it and make your best plan to get back out.

That plan may be different depending where you are in the sand.  

But getting the ball out and back on the fairway or green is the only way forward.

In this case I watched my daughter stay calm, take a deep breath and with confidence and hit the ball out of the bunker with one sure stroke.  

We are likewise each going to end up in the  sand traps of life.  

Sometimes financially.

Or spiritually.

Or emotionally.

But it WILL happen.

Even on the course we know best and with situations we've been through a hundred times before.

That's called mortality.  

Sometimes we make imperfect hits.

But the challenge is to focus on getting out of the trap and back on the path as soon as possible. 

Not beating ourselves up and digging deeper and deeper. 

Just accept it.  Repent.  Fix it.  And get back on the path.  

As Elder Dale G Renlund kindly taught, "No matter how long we have been off the path or how far away we have wandered, the moment we decide to change, God helps us return.  From God’s perspective, through sincere repentance and pressing forward with a steadfastness in Christ, once back on the path, it will be as if we were never off."

If you find yourself wondering if this is that moment for you, then that moment is now.

Take a deep breath.  Pick up your club.  And swing.

The powers of Heaven are waiting to help you in every possible way.