Today was a day of remembrance for those lost in the tragedy of 9/11. My only plan was to go to church, reflect and pray that the families and friends impacted, will be forever comforted. To be completely transparent, if the weather is nice, I play golf on Sundays and promise to thank God for the opportunity on the 1st tee. In future posts, I will share some of the amazing moments that happen on the course, like my round of golf with the Atheist and Agnostic. The agenda this week had to be different, Sunday was 9/11.
If you’re not religious or into church, it is your decision and I can respect it. Religion, politics and race are probably the most taboo topics but these topics are prevalent in our lives daily. Could you truly exist if you never hear the opinion, belief or perspective of a person, who is unlike you?
Life is uncertain, it proceeds with an unfamiliar cadence and when you finally catch the beat, the song changes. With that being said, I attend a church in Harlem, FCBC, where I think God occasionally allows me to preview the playlist. It may sound crazy but in my moments of doubt, when people and events contradict all that I believe, the pastor of the church will speak words specific to my situation, nouns-verbs-senetences, I never disclosed to anyone. Not some cliché church-ism, but something my grandmother shared or that I mentally grappled with in a private moment, it’s actually very surreal. When you are caught up in the monotony of life, the rat-race, it is easy to forget about these distinctive moments.
The pastor spoke about his trip to Charleston, South Carolina and what he did. He shared that if the weather is nice, everyone knows he is playing golf. That wasn’t a surprise, I suppose that is true for anyone that loves golf, okay no coincidence there. The fact that his sermon focused on the residents that live on the course who invited golfers to take cover from the storm on their porch resonated.
As I reflect on 9/11, it is that same spirit that humbles me to pray for those families, friends and colleagues. Despite the divide in our nation, in any storm we have the ability and power within us to provide for others. Yes, I always desire time on the golf course but today I was where I belonged. And just like that, golf interrupted.
