Wisdom from the Washroom

Look . . . I know this will probably have you on edge when I say that I learned something while I was in the bathroom the other day.  I think we can all agree that sometimes the bathroom is a great place to do some reading . . . and even some serious thinking ( tell me you haven't wondered if the statue known as "The Thinker" was based on someone who had his privacy invaded ).
Anyway, while I was washing my hands in the restroom of one of our fine Jersey diners, a dad and his probably 3 year old son came in while they were in the middle of an in-depth, interesting conversation.  The little boy was trying to make sure he had the facts straight by asking "which one is #1, and which one is #2?"  I couldn't help but chuckle inside just like you are doing right now.
The dad then gave a very simple answer to his boy as they were making their way into a stall as he said "pee-pee is #1 and poo-poo is #2."  Knowing that I was at the sink and grinning in the mirror, the dad closed the stall door in a way that showed that he was hoping to close this conversation.  But . . . the boy wasn't finished yet ( sorry about the image there ) because he then asked his dad "why is pee-pee #1 and poo-poo #2?"  There was silence for what seemed like forever . . . and now I became interested in what kind of answer this dad was going to come up with out of thin air that would make all parents proud of him and ensure his enshrinement in the Parental Hall of Fame.  After gathering his thoughts, the dad said . . . ( drumroll please ) . . . "I don't know, buddy."  And at that point, the source of my grin in the mirror went from humor to wisdom as I was reminded of a very important truth.
Over the years of being a parent and pastor ( particularly one who works with teenagers ) I have learned that often times the best ( and most honorable ) way to answer tough questions is by simply admitting "I don't know."  In life, there are some questions that we just can't easily answer . . . if at all.  Whether tragedy strikes or they are just confused by random trivia, the kids in our lives don't always need what we think are brilliant answers to their challenging questions . . . but they DO always deserve our love, care, honesty and authenticity.
When we try to explain things away with hollow answers, kids have the uncanny ability to see right through them like cheap 1-ply toilet paper in public restrooms.  If you can't give them a quality answer, at least give them the quality assurance that you will walk alongside them as they continue to learn and grow.  Hopefully, the fact that you don't have to be an awesome automatic answer machine leaves you relieved ( sorry, I couldn't help it, that was the last one ).
Faithful love & authenticity are key things that help us develop trust in relationships.  Our faith is strengthened as we go along, learning that we can continue to TRUST GOD in the midst of all of our questions . . . thankful that HE is the one with all of the answers.

Give It a Try . . .

A little while back my sister-in-law posted a saying on facebook that caught my attention . . . something to the effect of "I'd rather live life with a bunch of 'oh wells' instead of 'what ifs?"
What a great challenge to those of us who are not usually big risk-takers.  It can be easy to play things close to the vest and not step out there and give things a try.
I want to take a minute and brag on my family for some cool, recent instances of initiative on their part.  They may not seem like really big deals . . . but they are great reminders to give things a try because if you don't, you may miss out on something good.
A family from our church parted ways with a trampoline not too long ago, and when I picked it up I was pretty sure that it was missing some pieces, or at least some hardware . . . and instructions.  I had been dreading the inevitable task of spreading the puzzle out on the back yard to find out what might be missing.  But, with this week being spring break, our 8th grade son Jonah showed awesome initiative to basically figure it out himself with the help of one of his buddies.  We got a few bolts & nuts from the hardware store . . . and poof, it's good to go.  It wouldn't have happened if he hadn't stepped out and given it a try.  We are so proud of his determination . . . when he sets out to do something, he finds a way to make it happen.
Our 11th grader daughter Makenna has been quietly and selectively looking at potential colleges with a pretty small list in mind.  The opportunity to visit a few more in Virginia with some friends came up and she and Tracy thought "why not?" even though most of them hadn't been on the short list.  Now she has a new favorite at the top of her list because she decided to step out and give it a try.  We are excited for her and proud of the way she is taking ownership of this important process in her life.
And, just last night as dinner time approached, I mentioned that we had been hungry for garlic knots from one of our pizza places . . . and TA-DA! . . . Tracy figured out a way to make THE MOST AMAZING garlic knots that we have ever tasted.  I am always proud of the initiative that my better half displays . . . and her ability to go for it and make things happen.  She may once in a while have some "oh wells" but she rarely looks back and has "what ifs?"
( if you're wondering how Emily, Jared and I fit in to this post . . . we don't feel left out - we helped inhale the garlic knots ).

What opportunities are before YOU that you have been putting off . . ?  It may be very simple, practical, complicated, relational, professional, recreational or spiritual . . .
Here's what I'm learning - why not give it a try?