Do you know what you don't know?

It is interesting that we actually pay big money to be tortured. Gym memberships and personal trainers, coaching, ... and yes, higher education! Those of you who know me well know that I am in the final run on completing my masters degree. You know, so very well, because I complain so much about it. It really has kicked my back-side up and down the street for two years.

Funny thing, a masters degree costs a lot of money and it is a lot like torture. The slow and constant drip of books, writing assignments, posts, etc. Every day off, every formerly free block of time. But, this has helped me grow more than anything I've ever done. You see, I thought I knew a lot about leading organizations (i.e. churches) and people, but as I experienced more life I came to know what I did not know; hence, the masters journey.

We see it every day. People who don't know what they don't know. It is a sad sight. Its sad to see a leader leading away and making decisions that affect peoples lives, livelihood, and eternal spirituality who just don't know what they don't know. They mean no harm... they just don't know what they don't know.

Over the intense journey of the last four or five years I discovered some things that I did not know. It was only then I could fix them. Enter: the back-side kickers, be they professors, coaches, trainers, mentors, or teachers. They help us know what we don't know and then help us to know it.

Interesting, the more you try to know what you don't know, the more you wonder what you still don't know that you don't know. Carry on wayward sons ... that is why we never, never, never stop learning and challenging ourselves to grow.

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Mission Accomplished

It is hard to watch someone you love move to the other side of the world, especially when that someone is your beloved daughter. It is something that most every parent of those on international missions assignments, international students, etc., feel.

Paris is a long way away and presents communications problems because of the 6 hour time difference. In the evenings when Joyce and I are home and would like to communicate, Kelly is in bed. In our mornings she is in the throes of the intensity of an afternoon work schedule.

Letting go is always hard, but rather than be sad and weep over the sense of loss, we, rather, rejoice in the goodness of God. We are thankful for our daughters and we are always proud when they yield in obedience to God's call upon their lives--even when it involves a move to the other side of the world. I've got to say I would have preferred her mission having been on the other side of our city than the other side of the world, but that's not my decision.

We always prayed that our kids would love God and serve him with all of their hearts. Now, with Kelly moving to Paris to do just that, I've got to say -- mission accomplished!

God's ways are higher and better than our ways. We can never go wrong living our lives for God and others. We have to keep an eternal perspective.