Point your kids in the right direction—
when they're old they won't be lost.
Not everybody likes everything on my ipod. Just ask the youth who had to endure it, at times, on a road trip to Florida this summer.
We all have our tastes.
As I was coming back into Douglas County, I left I-20 and took the more scenic route home (as I am always, and everywhere, prone to do).
Alan Jackson popped up on my ipod. Yes, Alan Jackson.
Here's the deal. I love his songs. They are absolutely cheesy. They are unabashedly straightforward and simple. And, they're deep and full of good old country wisdom.
He's from Newnan. That is awesome. A lot of his childhood reminds me of the best parts of my own. I connect with his stories about his family, especially his grandparents.
I can never pull off a mustache and cowboy hat the way he does. But I can sing his songs when I'm driving.
I listened to him sing about his first childhood experiences driving a boat, and a truck, and how he grew up to become a dad and teach his daughters those same things.
Of course, this makes me now think about my own experiences as a dad.
Last Sunday, SOTH worked together to unload almost a couple thousand pumpkins for our annual Youth Pumpkin Patch.
For me, the best part came at the very end. The men of the church had gotten up in the trailer and formed a chain to hand all the big, heavy pumpkins out and down to the ground level. All along, the little boys and girls had wanted to be with us. The truth was, it was just too dangerous and too difficult to have them up there handling pumpkins that weigh more than they do.
But then, we had a huge box of tiny pumpkins left to go. Weight wasn't a problem anymore, just sheer numbers. Somebody had a great idea: "Let the kids make the chain." And they did, and they were delighted.
This time of year, we're all thinking about how to best use our energy and time, and money as we consider our pledge for ministry next year.
We think about ministries and priorities and celebrations...visions for the future and how God might be calling us to help. Many in our SOTH family will make courageous decisions to give generously because they so deeply believe in what we're doing and the work that we believe God is calling us to, together.
But maybe there's another reason still. Maybe a seed gets planted deep within the heart of our little ones who see us give, as a way of life.
Maybe there's a chance to have conversations about what it means to volunteer, to respond to God's goodness, to dare to give away part of our hard-earned income. Maybe there's even a chance to let them "drive."
I know there's that chance. If we show them the way, God will be faithful, and take care of them always.
Grace & Peace,
Adam
