Mark's Little Boy

Ben specifically told me I didn't need to write about him tonight... but who really listens to their children?  

 Everyone needs a goal.   If you don't know what you are working for, sweating for, or striving for, you may be like the blindfolded man running in circles.  

One morning on the way to school in early spring Ben was reading our devotional we do together aloud and it prompted me to ask him what his goals were.  He spouted off that he wanted to be a professional golfer.  I told him to be realistic... I don't believe in making children think they are something they really aren't.  I said, "Ben, what can you do today that will be a realistic goal?"

He told me he would like to shoot under par.  I said, "Ok... watch God and what He will do if you really believe it!"

In my heart I doubted his abilities.  I put on a good face and just said, "Watch God" again as he got out of the car.  I arrived to his golf match late that afternoon and he was playing well.  As he approached the tee box of the last hole he was one under par.  I was in complete shock and awe and laughed at myself for laughing at God.  Ben's nerves got the best of him and he doubled the last hole.  That day taught me Ben had a fire in him that sometimes needed a little light to it!  I told him it was within reach, and I shared with him even I doubted what he could do!

 Fast forward to this summer and playing in tournaments each Monday and some weekends with his new goal of shooting even par in an 18 hole tournament.  He was close many times, but just couldn't quite make it.  He couldn't get all the things to connect on the same day... some days he was hitting the ball out of bounds, or playing from the rough, or THREE PUTTING!

It's been a struggle this summer with attitude and frustrations on all our parts!  He acted like "his daddy" on the course a few times and needed a spanking, but he didn't throw a club, let one slip, or toss a ball in anger and frustration... he just dropped his head and shoulders and broke my heart!  I have walked many a mile just praying for the day to end!  I have prayed for his light to shine... For him to be a light to others to see how to act when they may not be playing well.  Seeing tears in his eyes I kept reminding him it would be his turn one day! I kept reminding him his turn would be that much sweeter when it came....  his turn would come when he had a good day and the victory would be sweet!

On a side note.... this week is move-in week for Katie Britt at Clemson.  We planned on going Friday, but I decided we would just go on Saturday to make things easier for all of us.  During this conversation I even stated there is no way Ben will make it to the All-Stars Tournament unless someone else's legs and arms fell off so... we made a plan to move her in on Saturday.  

As we like to call it "McKinney Luck" struck today... in a good way!  Ben reached his goal of even par in the last tournament of the season.  I knew he had played well, but I also knew a few other players had turned in scores lower than his.  I left from my lunch break to head back to work and got a text saying Ben had qualified for The Patriot.  I really thought it was a joke!  I questioned it, checked calculations, and rechecked the website.... the stars all aligned just right for him to qualify by just a few points ahead of one of his favorite players.  He will be playing this weekend in Ninety-Six on a course that Mark says is one of the last tournaments he played with Daddy.

We are now trying our best to figure out when/ how/ if we can get Katie Britt into her apartment this weekend!  She is just as excited as I am for her baby brother... she's been there every step of the way and wouldn't miss this for anything!  She may be living out of her car for a few days (JUST TEASING MAMA AND BC) until next weekend, but she says she will be there to watch him!


Right after they left the course, Ben, Mark, and Sis headed straight to the DMV.  As I take a deep breath typing this... Mark's little boy is now driving all by himself.  I think I'm going to lobby at the state house in South Carolina about giving babies their licenses at such a young age!  They let him drive home by himself... I may never sleep another night restfully!

It's been a good day today... tomorrow may be crazy, it might be an awful weekend of playing for Ben, and Katie Britt may have a slightly undecorated room for a little bit.... but for today... thank you Lord for the blessings we received!  We will enjoy the good, the bad, and the ugly of life... because we know the waiting is worth it!  And the next time you doubt something... WATCH GOD!