Somewhere in the world of YOUTUBE I listened to Joyce Meyer confess her need to forgive her son for making her look bad, and for not being as spiritual as she thought he should be. Then she went to apologize to her son for not accepting and loving him the way he was. He was in his late teens at the time.
Now he's deeply involved in ministry and missions.
And I'm encouraged - and puzzled.
What budding skill or interest did Joyce miss when she looked at her son?
What about all those stories we hear about great artists, singers, ministers and chefs that have shown unusual aptitude for their area since at least 20 weeks gestation?
Is there hope for all of us average people?
What about those of us who didn't come out of the womb dancing ballet or playing Chopin waltzes?
Is it possible for my wonderfully ordinary son, who is more interested in reading I Spy books in church than paying attention to anything, to end up being a powerful force for the Kingdom?
I sometimes think back to who I was as a young person, and I see little of the roots of who I am now.
I don't ever remember even planning so much as my own 13th birthday party (which my sister did for herself! She was highly disillusioned regarding how much fun that would be. I just remember that she had to run and serve her friends all evening, and then clean up after everybody). And now I find that I love event planning.
I had no interested in becoming a teacher, and don't remember ever having much of a relationship with any of my teachers. The ones that I can remember paying any attention to me called me funny nicknames (Burnt Braun was my identity in one science class due to a small mishap with a bunson burner), or pinched my neck while walking along behind me in typing class because I couldn't stop giggling. I certainly don't remember anyone inspiring me with a passion for learning which I then wanted to pass on. My only passion throughout highschool was a good laugh and hopefully not at my own expense. That's not to say I don't admire some of my past instructors, it's just there were no red flags waving that this was the path for me.
If I were to describe the thing that most pulls at my heart, it's the lifestyle of Mother Teresa. The idea of living with the goal to serve others - to help those less fortunate - intrigues me, even calls to me. But I never headed up any sort of philanthropy as a young person. I was too busy defending the importance of my position amongst my siblings. I wasn't the oldest, the youngest, or even the only boy like my sisters and brother. I didn't feel like I had anything to offer those less fortunate. I sure feel different now - and a huge part of that was a trip to South Africa when I was 18. Experiences from those 7 weeks are still impacting me today.
This leads me to 2 unsettling conclusions:
1) My story isn't finished and there may be some new experiences that will bring out new abilities and belief systems.
2) Nobody else's story is finished yet either, and hopefully I have the grace to look past what is, into what could be. And that goes for my kids too. God IS at work in each of them - in a unique way, and it's somewhat premature for me to assume that I know all the amazing plans he has for them.
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