Monday, May 26, 2008
Siblings
Last Christmas we made a trip to Florida to see my family. Recently I was reminded I never posted any pictures from the trip. Here are a few.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
The Challenges of Grandparents
It has been said that the reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy between them.
______________________
I have reflected on the challenges of being a grandparent. Grandparents are experienced at parenting, but, like parenting, it is learn-as-you-go on a “grand” scale. When Camdyn was born I was surprised by the overwhelming sense of responsibility I felt, followed by the intense awareness that the only authority I had was moral influence and I had squandered that trying to be a good dad – why didn’t I buy more toys and discipline less? Once a chief potentate, a grandparent is reduced to the role of powerless ex-president, always on display during a crisis, never at the table of power, once the star, now the supporting actor. What an irony, you finally know what to do, no one cares.
Let me illustrate, it is the parent’s job to govern the child in a manner that helps him or her develop an internal guidance system for discerning right from wrong, good from evil. Grandparents have mastered this art of discipline. We know where the boundaries should be set. Without even thinking we know what transgressions deserve a “guiding hand” and which ones will carry their own consequential lessons. We learned years ago. Now, forced to sit in the bleachers we watch amateurs fumble the ball and we can’t even yell at the refs; they would throw us out of the building faster than an infant can dirty a diaper.
I have a suggestion. Every child should be considered a minor until their first child enters middle school. In other words, grandparents should continue to coach their own children through about the third inning of their lives as parents. Middle School is about the right time to retire – the rules all change around then and nobody knows what they are doing anyway.
On second thought, life is too much fun in the bleachers.
____________________
Seriously, Alethea and Justin are wonderful parents. I am thankful every day they are the parents of my grandchildren. Then again, they were both raised by pros.
Charlie is super neat when he eats.
Camdyn took this picture. Notice how centered it is.
______________________
I have reflected on the challenges of being a grandparent. Grandparents are experienced at parenting, but, like parenting, it is learn-as-you-go on a “grand” scale. When Camdyn was born I was surprised by the overwhelming sense of responsibility I felt, followed by the intense awareness that the only authority I had was moral influence and I had squandered that trying to be a good dad – why didn’t I buy more toys and discipline less? Once a chief potentate, a grandparent is reduced to the role of powerless ex-president, always on display during a crisis, never at the table of power, once the star, now the supporting actor. What an irony, you finally know what to do, no one cares.
Let me illustrate, it is the parent’s job to govern the child in a manner that helps him or her develop an internal guidance system for discerning right from wrong, good from evil. Grandparents have mastered this art of discipline. We know where the boundaries should be set. Without even thinking we know what transgressions deserve a “guiding hand” and which ones will carry their own consequential lessons. We learned years ago. Now, forced to sit in the bleachers we watch amateurs fumble the ball and we can’t even yell at the refs; they would throw us out of the building faster than an infant can dirty a diaper.
I have a suggestion. Every child should be considered a minor until their first child enters middle school. In other words, grandparents should continue to coach their own children through about the third inning of their lives as parents. Middle School is about the right time to retire – the rules all change around then and nobody knows what they are doing anyway.
On second thought, life is too much fun in the bleachers.
____________________
Seriously, Alethea and Justin are wonderful parents. I am thankful every day they are the parents of my grandchildren. Then again, they were both raised by pros.
Charlie is super neat when he eats.
Camdyn took this picture. Notice how centered it is.
Memphis Continued
Karisa and Johnmark came down for the long weekend. We were able to spend the morning and early afternoon with them.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Fishing
We took Camdyn fishing this afternoon. Papa spent most of his time changing the tackle and baiting hooks. Cheryl expanded her photographic skills to include motion pictures. Notice how she illustrates the chain of life; all things are interconnected. Her use of shadows is a brilliant metaphor for the encroaching complexities of life that threaten the beauty of simplicity.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Welcome Jackson
Last Saturday we received our newest bovine family member, Jackson -- see above. He is a polled (without horns) dexter. Polled dexter bulls are almost rare (about 400 in the USA). He has made himself at home and he has been well received (no romance yet). As the pictures reveal, he likes rolling in the mud. Thanks to Roland Vaughn who gave us an irresistable price.
The calves are growing. Alice is on the left and No-name is on the right.
Pride and Rose are doing well.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
No Pictures
OK. I haven't put any pictures on this page in quite a while. I haven't put much of anything, but of course you already know that. Cheryl and I have been busy in every area of our lives.
1. New Covenant has required some extra attention throughout the spring as we addressed a variety of unplanned situations. We have been doing a Sunday morning series "From Easter to Pentecost."
2. I made a trip to Kentucky for the Appalachian Ministries Educational Resource Center (AMERC) Board of Directors meeting (I have been on the Board for over a decade).
3. Taxes
4. Preparations for international travel: I'm going to Jamaica in a few weeks. Cheryl and I are going to India for three weeks in June. Both trips are ministry related and include speaking at college graduations.
5. Cheryl went today for her nephew Josh's graduation from Emmanuel College.
6. I drove last night to Savannah to join my siblings and their families in celebrating my brother's (Jimmy) and sister's (Darlene) birthdays (60 and 50 respectively). It was a lot of fun, but I had to leave to return home too early.
7. It is grading season for the seminary. We had a three-day faculty retreat last Sunday through Tuesday.
One final note: When I got home this evening I had a phone message that I had received an award at the annual Evangelical Press Association meeting (third place in the Biblical Exposition category for my article in the Evangel last year on "Water Baptism"). I did not even know my article had been nominated, much less who paid off the judges.
1. New Covenant has required some extra attention throughout the spring as we addressed a variety of unplanned situations. We have been doing a Sunday morning series "From Easter to Pentecost."
2. I made a trip to Kentucky for the Appalachian Ministries Educational Resource Center (AMERC) Board of Directors meeting (I have been on the Board for over a decade).
3. Taxes
4. Preparations for international travel: I'm going to Jamaica in a few weeks. Cheryl and I are going to India for three weeks in June. Both trips are ministry related and include speaking at college graduations.
5. Cheryl went today for her nephew Josh's graduation from Emmanuel College.
6. I drove last night to Savannah to join my siblings and their families in celebrating my brother's (Jimmy) and sister's (Darlene) birthdays (60 and 50 respectively). It was a lot of fun, but I had to leave to return home too early.
7. It is grading season for the seminary. We had a three-day faculty retreat last Sunday through Tuesday.
One final note: When I got home this evening I had a phone message that I had received an award at the annual Evangelical Press Association meeting (third place in the Biblical Exposition category for my article in the Evangel last year on "Water Baptism"). I did not even know my article had been nominated, much less who paid off the judges.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)