tales from the North…

I’m in Michigan, on holiday with my parents and my little family, celebrating the New Year.

The story goes, as told by my parents, that when I was in kindergarten I was proficient at letting people know what I thought. I didn’t know how to hide my ideas or feelings at all.

At five, I was prepared to be honest, as far as I knew how. So – when the kindergarten teacher asked each child what their fathers did at work, I told the truth. I told Mrs. Wilkinson and the teacher’s aid and all of my peers that my dad went to the bus garage and got dirty. In all sincerity, that was a part of my dad’s occupation. He was a pastor, back in the late 70’s, in charge of the bus ministry. They had a lot of buses that went out weekly to pick up adults and children for church. My dad was responsible for making sure that all of those buses were up and running – well, along with a lot of other things that he managed for the church.

Needless to say – I’m reminded of the misunderstanding regularly when I come home for visits. We have a good laugh over it and then the conversation moves on to other topics, usually other embarrassing things that I said as a child to people that I had no business saying. I was really good at that back then – I probably still am… But, back to the situation at hand.

I don’t think that my dad ever dreamed that I didn’t know what he did. And surely, the last thing that he wanted people to think was that he didn’t do anything. He worked hard – at the bus garage and otherwise. But, I didn’t know that – I just saw him come home, in dirty coveralls, with really stained hands, talking about being at the bus garage. I never actually saw him at the garage working hard.

Well – after we relived the story once again, for the umpteenth time, I wondered. What do my children think I do? I mean, how do they see my life’s efforts? Do they just hear me talk about being a believer? or do my actions convey what I believe? Do they know first hand that I am a Christ follower?

I would like to tell you that I am stellar example and they know exactly what it means to follow Christ because they see my occupation following my heart’s desire. But, I can’t promise you that is the case. I’m good at talking. good at hoping. good at praying and wishing.

With 2011 here, at my doorstep, I realize more than ever I want my children to see my actions, my life in progress and know beyond a shadow of a doubt what my intentions are, who I’m following and why.

Ephesians 5 says this

v1&2:Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

v8-15For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Here where the calendar marks new beginnings and fresh starts, this is my prayer: That my life will be full, making the most of every opportunity – living so that my children know that I am following Jesus and that they will want to follow Him too.

May it be so!