Gospel + Golf = FCA Cherokee County

Hey, That Girl is all about encouraging women in the Lord....in business, in ministry, in life! I'm not talking about reaching out to one particular group of girls, I'm talking about all of the souls and hearts of girls God sends my way!

At my age I still have a girl's heart....I STILL enjoy getting together with my girlfriends to eat, to laugh, to giggle, to shop, to pray, to share, to encourage, to be encouraged, to play golf, to go to the beach, to do Bible studies together, watch chick flicks, to dress up, to dress down, and to talk about and eat chocolate!

The Bible says that outside we are daily "wasting away" but inside we are "being renewed day by day". I agree. I may have more wrinkles and look older on the outside -- but inside, oh, inside I'm still a girl at heart. Hey, we all are, Sistas! Don't believe me? Take a look at all of us girls in the photo below...the Creekview High School Girls Golf Team! I remember telling one of my daughters just two years ago -- as I was about to leave the house in my pjs to go to a Girl's PJ/Movie Night at a friends house --- that "my friends and I really are still girls at heart, we're just old girls!!!" Yes, that night I drove to my friend's home in my pjs and a small group of us enjoyed appetizers, dinner, lots of laughter, a romantic chick flick, and a chocolate fountain!!!!!

We older girls know what it feels like to be girls. We remember the insecurities and the social pressures in high school to be the thinnest, the prettiest, the smartest, the most popular. Ugh. It's really almost unbearable UNLESS you are daily seeking God to be the One who truly and deeply approves of you...just as you are! No one can match the love and fulfillment God can bring to a girl's heart. Little girls and big girls need to know this truth and then live it out.

To get to that place we have to start each day with God....talking to Him through prayer and letting Him talk to us through His word, the Bible. There is power and peace and love and encouragement there. THEN we step out into the world and do what He has called each one of us to do....with our gifts and talents and hearts. Then He will be glorified and we will be fulfilled!

Two years ago I was asked by Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Cherokee County Director Bill Queen, if I would be the chaplain for the Creekview High School Girls' Golf Team. My initial response was, "Huh? What's a golf team chaplain? I've never heard of one." He told me there's never been one. :)

He knew I had played golf all my life and that I've lead Bible studies. And then he told me the girls' team practices in my neighborhood: Woodmont Golf & Country Club!

"Ok, Lord, I hear you," I said to God. Then I told Bill I'd do it but I also let him know I didn't have a lot of extra time to do it. He said that any amount of time I could give to the girls would be a blessing. So, began to sporadically show up at the driving range at Woodmont and see the high schoolers talking about school and homework and how to hit the next shot better.

It didn't take very long before the Lord gave me His love for the girls. I quickly remembered what it was like in high school....and back in high school I didn't know Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Ugh. I remembered what I thought about and what mattered to me most.

But two years ago, after I had time to ask God through prayers if it was His will for me to become the chaplain...His answer was that He had been preparing me to do this: golf and the gospel! He reminded me that I learned to play golf when I was five years old and I was leading Bible studies for the past 8 years. He was showing me that I had learned how to get through each day -- with God's strength and I was to share it.

On those afternoons when I was able to get to the club to see the girls I'd often bring them candy and cookies....and we even prayed together on the first tee before a tournament. It was amazing

Last season I was invited to be their chaplain again and I sporadically showed up...to share a little, or to bring them cookies and fudgesicles and hit golf balls on the driving range and challenge them to putting contests on the practice green. This year I wasn't able to show up very often but when I did I was so glad to see them.

Now it's summer and I've seen a couple of the girls at the golf course....and there is love there and friendship. God does that....it's for Him and for us, too.

I'm a supporter of the work of FCA Cherokee County because it's right here in my community and it's all about sharing the gospel through sports. It's about saving souls and mentoring to help build strong, fearless leaders who will be radiant in this very dark world we are living in. FCA seeks to reach the next generation! Wow. And for me personally, supporting FCA/Cherokee County has providentially tapped into my God-given gifts so I will pour out into the lives of others what God has poured into me. And it's all for His glory. How cool is that?????

He's made us. He's custom-made each one of us with amazing gifts and talents to fulfill specific services for Him. Let's get out there and get busy! We are the ones with the joy and the hope 'cuz we have Christ! Hey, let's celebrate! Oh yeah, we already are!!!!! :)

Love & blessings,

Polly

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service." 1 Timothy 1:12

If you'd like to know more about FCA Cherokee County GA: http://www.cherokeefca.org/ or to contact FCA's Director of Female Sports Ministry Amy Turcotte http://www.cherokeefca.org/AmyTurcotte.Isp .