Student Teaching

The room was full of college kids. It was Friday night and they all had things to do other than coming to church. Jeanette and I had sped off after work from Asheville to Raleigh to try and make the 8:00pm worship time. We did make it, barely, and were welcomed by all those beautiful smiling faces. Being there was the latest episode in our series of encounters with these kids in Campus Outreach. What we have really encountered is ourselves and the opportunity to see God through their eyes. Our daughter Lauren has found a home with them and tonight she is leading worship.

We are led in worship by our 20 year old daughter! I am older now than I ever thought I would become when I was her age. God is surprising me in her and through her and her journey in Faith is my teacher. She and I and you are all God’s work-in-progress.

Here are some random observations, in no particular order.

• Our children have to find Jesus for themselves
• Denominational alliances are much less important than the gospel
• Knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus are not the same
• Relationships mean everything
• Love does conquer all

So we could have a family

My parents died several years ago and even my brother Bill, my only sibling, passed away before his time. Their absence now does not define my days as it did early on. But last night my general unease could be named as missing them, here at Christmas. Like a recurrence of an old injury, I was reminded that the wound is still there, not fresh but tender. I am also made aware of God’s grace in my immediate family-wife and daughter, friends, extended family and adopted family.

“When the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son…that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons [and daughters], God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying, Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:4-7)

In the manner of an ancient adoption ceremony that would mean God saying, “Yes, you are my child.” and my response of “Yes, you are my Father.” And the covenant would be sealed. God came down at Christmas as a child so we could have a family. No matter how we feel at Christmas or any other time, love is born for us too.