Wisdom on the Front Nine

Wisdom on the Front Nine

Four of us enjoy nine holes of golf on Saturday mornings – early!  We usually try and tee off by 7:00 a.m. In that way, we have a great time and still have most of the day for family and other activities.

I like these guys.  We are comfortable together, usually encouraging each other when we slice or hit two or three into the water!  There’s the occasional ribbing and competition that makes it fun and although we don’t play for money, inwardly we all keep track of the scores and who’s performing the best that morning!

Our conversations are usually short.  A few words about our families, work, church, sports, cars and of course golf.  Some grunts, grins and laughs, some words that are best left on the course, but not many deep conversations – that just doesn’t happen often on the golf course, especially when walking.

But a few weeks ago I went out on a limb.  I thought “what the heck.”  These guys seem to have good marriages, I wonder why.  So I asked one of the foursome, “Give me your recipe for a good marriage?”

It was like Leonard had been waiting for that question, because he jumped on it!

“I see three things” he said (but later amended it to four!).

1.       Communication – You’ve got to take time to communicate and talk.  Let her talk and really listen.  Share with each other about everything or soon you won’t have anything to talk about and then you grow apart.”

2.       Sweat the Details – The little things are important.  If she likes the toilet seat down, put it down.  If it’s your turn to do the dishes, do them.  Find those little insignificant things and make sure that’s part of what you do.

3.       Respect – Lastly he said that we need to respect our wives, their interests, their time, hobbies, thoughts and ideas.

Not too bad for a bunch of “duffers” out on a Saturday morning!

P.S. The next Saturday morning, we were back at the golf course.  Leonard confided once more in me.  “You know,” he whispered, “I spoke about this to my wife.  She says I forgot one – trust!”  Trust, yes, essential.  What a great way to finish the morning!