Let’s Start Over

I’ve reached the ending of many a task, failed to enjoy it as it should be enjoyed, and simply felt it was best to start over. Do it over. Again. My father-in-law taught me this same principle in Golf was called a Mulligan. Do over.

It’s like making the first impression the best impression, only, something goes wrong and you realize you’ve not been successful. Let’s start over.

We’ve all had that ”over the shoulder” review and wished we had made better choices. Right?

Think about Adam and Eve, if they could, don’t you realize they would probably step back a few paces, talk it over, and do something different? Benedict Arnold? Judas?

Perhaps the best way of looking at our current status is to think before we leap into action. Prepare our words and presentation before trying to wing it, or simply take a deep breath (Breath Prayers comes to mind).

Today, I look at the condition of the world and wish we could simply start some history items over. Back up a few pages of years, decades, even centuries. With foreknowledge of the future, perhaps we could figure out what to do right and best and then try it again.

Starting Right

Not everyone has everything planned correctly. Equally, not everyone knows what to do for the results to be acceptable. Yet, when we think forward, our feet should follow.

Right. Left. Right. Left. Right foot, left foot, pick them up, put them down…

It’s perhaps about the cadence, the rhythmic flow of sounds or words, or even the words themselves that make us walk together. Movement in time, one with each other. All on the same page at the same time following the same piper’s song.

It seems when we get in sync with others then things go better. No one gets left behind. We pull together to make things right, and we make sure we do not overcompensate in the opposite direction. Else, we will be doing another start over!

Think about choosing teams in school. You pick the team to win, right?!!? But when that happens those less capable are left to the end. They feel left out, and the team feels dumped on. Perhaps, drawing straws works better? Maybe. But someone always gets the short end of the straw.

It’s not that we only want to make the best of a given set of circumstances, we should be determining how to allow every participant the feeling of belonging.

Choosing to be negative about the possibilities gets you out of sync with a wide range of possibilities!

Looking Back, Facing Forward

I cannot undo everything, but I can learn how to respond better moving forward.

Hence, maybe it’s best to not look back too often. Except, perhaps, in the moments of realizing you need a Mulligan. Okay? Then what?

Snapshot. Analyze. Correct your focus. Move on.

This morning I’m thinking about Peter in the boat fishing… (John 21) A figure on the shore, banked fire, asking, “Have you any fish?” No. We’ve fished all night. Nothing. “Cast your nets on the other side!” Why? What’s different about now?

Of course, the catch is huge! Peter recognizes the conditions. It’s the Lord! He flings himself overboard and swims to the shore. The others labor to get the fish loaded, and make it to the shore where they find the fire, fish, Peter, and Jesus.

I wonder about those quiet moments Peter had. Did he ask for a “do-over”? Could he get things right this time? He had failed Jesus so much the past few weeks. I’ll never deny you! And then, denied him. Cut off the ear of the high priest servant. Fled into the night. Cursed. Wept. Fled into the night. Again.

What do you think?

Maybe this is what we all need. Someone who sees’s past our faults and failures and helps us to become better than we ever thought we could be.

Peter? What say you?