you can teach an old pastor new tricks

Children invite us to learn.... not just our children... all children.  They extend the offer and we can choose what to do with it.  Sometimes the asking involves us trying something that we are destined to fail at... something that will make us feel foolish.  What will we choose when this is the case?

This time Pastor chooses to try.  And try-hard, he does.

inevitable failure surfaces from the untrained...unskilled...but, how do you master something or learn more about it if you always give up just because you aren't good at it?  

You have to pick the tool of learning back up and try... try... try...try... and try again!

Often times the one that issues the invitation will step in an offer some much needed counsel and encouragement.

Again, we have a choice...what will we do with what is being offered?  Will we engage with the teacher or will we shut down?  Will we press in and press on or will we quit?

Pastor chooses well.  He keeps trying.  He makes the choice to learn.  He makes a choice to be child-like.

more tries...

second, third...fourth and on and on it goes... but he continues to pick up the tool and listen to his little teacher... and then....something happens....

other small people want to offer what they have.... they want to bless with helpful words and encouragement.  It's important to acknowledge the gifts of the small... from them flow very LARGE blessings.

It is healthy for young princes to see their daddy's struggle to learn... even to see them fail... neediness is an important lesson in itself.

Persevering is too...

So... the expert in the family steps in.  She knows perseverance well.  Her goal this summer was to master this tool... and master it she did.  Through the fruit of her own labor and learning she nourishes her daddy... and Pastor receives. 

He accepts his lack of knowledge, he accepts the awkwardness of body parts that won't cooperate, he accepts his failings, he embraces the laughter of others and chooses to join along, and best of all... he chooses to keep trying... he chooses to learn...

and learn he does.  With great joy we all applaud Pastor's success.  Giggles of delight fill our "screened in porch" a.k.a our garage.  Pastor makes choices that we all benefit from.

God is stirring in many, many ways in our Good Pastor.  I am blessed the most as I have a front row seat.  God has given us a Shepherd that is choosing risk, that is choosing foolishness for the sake of the kingdom, that is very much Spirit-Alive and beautifully steadfast.

Despite the rumors and stats... you can teach an old pastor new tricks... and their wives too...living proof exists right over here on Ridgegate Lane.

So thankful!