“When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.’” (Luke 15:20-21,MSG).

     Mary Ann Wakefield, age eighty-four, is my hero. Mary Ann sank a ninety-foot putt at a University of Mississippi basketball game last February. No one was more surprised about the amazing feat than Mary Ann. She admitted to being great driving the ball off the tee. However, she admits to being hopeless on the putting green.

     For most of us, golf is a five-mile walk punctuated with disappointments. Unlike Mary Ann Wakefield, the majority of us have better wood in our pencils than we do in our golf bags. If it weren’t for friends and mulligans, the average weekend golfer would spend more time in the woods than on the fairway.

     For those of you who are not familiar with the term, a mulligan is a shot gone awry that is not counted against one’s score. A mulligan is a means of grace given to a golfer whose previous play was poor. In plain language, a mulligan is a do-over.

     Jesus’ story of the prodigal son is a prime example of grace given to one whose poor play has landed him out of bounds. The youngest son’s poor decisions led him into a trap of guilt and regret. Yet the welcome home party the prodigal received signaled a father’s willingness to grant his son a second chance.

     The story is a beautiful portrayal of God’s amazing grace and willingness to offer us another shot. Jesus reminds us that second chances are only a stroke away for those of us who reach out to God for forgiveness and mercy. This is Good News for those of us who have hooked a shot into a hazard.

     All of us need a do-over. Noah got drunk. Abraham lied. Jacob deceived his family. Peter denied Jesus. Each of them blew it and yet God continued using them because they looked to Him for mulligan.

     So, can you. Regardless of what you have done, your failures are not final. Your transgressions are not terminal. Your course through life still has more to be played.

     Therefore, keep on swinging. And when you shank the ball, don’t forget to yell. “Fore!”