A few days ago, at a conference championship, a parent came up to me and said, “My son keeps having intrusive thoughts that he is not loved. Would you pray for him?” I did pray. I also offered her a simple and historically Christian idea: “Maybe he could try a breath prayer, something short he could say as he breathes, to remind himself how much God loves him.” She liked my advice, so I put together a prayer just for him:
“Jesus Christ, Lord of love, pour out your love on me.”
Breath prayers like this are powerful. They help us turn our gaze back to Christ, quiet our hearts, and rest in His presence — not in our performance or what others think. If he can stay focused on Jesus and His unconditional love, those intrusive thoughts will lose their grip.
Honestly, I need reminders of Jesus’ love for me too. One way I do that is with my golf balls. They’re personalized with “GZUSLUVSU.” It serves two purposes. First, it’s evangelistic. In competition I need to identify my ball with my group on the first tee. I show them and they ask, “What does GZUSLUVSU mean?” I get to smile and say, “Jesus loves you.” Second, it reminds me every time I see it: Jesus loves me too. I cannot control my outcomes on the course or in life, but I am held securely by a Lord who loves me.
Below is a photo from a recent tournament where I got to interact with almost every group. The pond next to this green got a ball from a large percentage of groups, so I stationed myself right here. At another conference championship, I served as the starter on the first day before I headed out to officiate, which gave me the chance to meet and encourage every player as they began their round.
I am strategically positioned and thriving in the opportunities God is giving me. Thank you for your partnership in ministry. You are making this possible. Your prayers
