Mike,
What’s up? It’s been a while. Since you didn’t write much during the summer months, I thought I’d write to you. I’ve learned some things you might want to think about. I know, I know, I’m an old guy, but you would benefit from the years I’ve lived ahead of you. You will be me some day. Here’s some advice I think you'll be glad to receive.
You’d be wise to find a mentor, not just an advisor but a mentor. You need someone who is close enough to you and someone you trust to tell you the things you may not want to hear, and you need someone who can give you direction for what lies ahead. You will serve churches outside of denominational structure and built in mentors. Do what you must to secure one.
Pay more attention to Brenda as the days go by. Romance her in the mundane years of your marriage like you romanced her before you were married. You’re busy, and she’s got her hands full with all those kids, but you’ll be glad when you get to be my age that you pursued her in these child raising years.
Do more to impact your kids for life and eternity than I did. You won’t regret it. How old are your kids anyway? How many do you have? Let me help you with something. Being a dad is incredible! At the same time, it’s hard work and, at times, a bit frustrating. Listen to me, it may seem like those kids will be around forever, but they won’t be. Your dad ministry to them is short-term with long-term impact.
Take care of your body earlier. It gets harder the older you get. Your metabolism will slow down. You can’t eat french fries and drink Pepsi without consequences. The same holds true for all personal disciplines. Start them now; it’s much harder to start disciplines as you age.
You will make mistakes. Some mistakes will happen because you are immature. You will make other mistakes because you think you know better. You don’t. You won’t know you’ve made a mistake until it happens. You’re not likely to prevent them. When you make a mistake, own it and move on.
At your age it may seem like your mom and dad are a nuisance or interfering in your life. From time to time their phone calls might be an intrusion and their visits come at inconvenient times. I get it. We older people aren’t always understanding of your time and responsibilities. Still, when you get to be my age, you may wish for one more phone call. So let me suggest that you call your mom and dad or go see your mom and dad or find ways to spend time with your mom and dad more than you think is necessary.
Would you consider learning a trade? Your dad is a really good mechanic, able to fix nearly anything. You like books, sports, traveling, and thinking, but you will benefit from a skill. So pick one – electrical, plumbing, carpentry, masonry, welding, HVAC – doesn’t matter which one you pick, I promise you will need it pretty soon.
Learn a second language. You don’t know this, but the world is coming to the United States, and you’re going to get to see a good portion of the world. If you can learn a language, your travels will be all the more enjoyable, your experiences in cultures will go beyond what you can now imagine, and your potential for usefulness to the Lord will expand. It will be hard work, but God gave you a good mind. Put it to use.
Value faithfulness over productivity. You’re a driven guy. You want to accomplish things, and you have accomplished some things early on in your life. But, you cannot control productivity. I don’t know what you will accomplish in the years to come, but I do know God values faithfulness in his servants more than he values productivity. You will find contentment in your own faithfulness and in the faithfulness of your co-workers much more than you will find satisfaction in your productivity or theirs.
You can be moody from time to time. It’s not your best look. I understand how you feel. Sometimes you think life isn’t fair or your circumstances should be better than what you’re currently experiencing. Look, I don’t know if life is fair to you or not, and I can’t say if your circumstances are better or worse than anyone else’s, but here is what I do know and want to say to you: be happy because God has given you a lot. He has given you your salvation, his Son, his Spirit, and his Word. No matter what you don’t have or what you wish was different, choose to be happy. I promise you that you will be happy that you choose to be happy.
There’s more I can tell you, but knowing you, you may have skipped a few ideas already just to get to the end of this letter. It’s a fault we share. We aren’t very patient. So, I’ll stop right here. I hope you find my thoughts a help in some way.
Stay cool.
Mike
As always, thanks for reading, and I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.