“I don’t always feel fierce and fearless, but I do feel like I’m a rock star at being human.”
My tee-shirt reads, Human Kind, Be Both. I chose it because I like the play on words and the encouraging message. However, on the days I wear it, I realize kindness isn’t always easy. Now, I often joke, “This shirt mocks me.” Fortunately, I wasn’t wearing it golfing the other day, although I might as well have.
Sunshine lit the manicured green course, and fir boughs streaked the fairway with shadowed arms. I felt grateful to golf on such a gorgeous summer morning and hoped to play a good round. Our group finished the first hole and enthusiastically pushed our carts toward the second tee box. Suddenly, a ball whacked my bag. The ladies playing behind us sheepishly crept in our direction, unable to retrieve their ball without finding it at our feet.
Annoyed, I grumbled, “They didn’t even yell, ‘fore.’ It could have hit me.” I teed up my ball while mentally rehearsing how they should have waited until we were out of the way, and then at least yelled a warning.
Good thing I was occupied as they got closer; I would have regretted my unkind response. The woman apologized profusely to my partners as she self-consciously moved her ball off the cart path. My friend was the epitome of grace to her. She said, “We didn’t hear you yell.” The woman said she had, but we didn’t hear her. “That’s okay, it happens to all of us sometimes. We’ll need you to yell louder next time.” I admired my friend’s kind and forgiving response, feeling grateful I hadn’t said a word.
Ironically, I had journaled the previous morning about my desire to avoid judging and criticizing others. The lesson was to remove the figurative plank from my eye before worrying about the sawdust in someone else’s. (Luke 6:37-42). I had prayed for God to show me my blind spots—it didn’t take long!
Realizing my error, I squirmed with conviction and wondered how many times I had done something similar. What balls did I hit too close? What golf etiquette rules had I broken that aggravated someone else?
On the course that morning, I became freshly aware of my double standard and was reminded again how challenging kindness can be. I’m grateful for my friend’s example and that God doesn’t leave me where I am.
Maybe it’s time for a new tee shirt slogan: “It happens to all of us sometimes.”