It's a God Thing

Both of our sons, Peter and Mark, will be ordained into the pastoral ministry of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod this coming Sunday. It's hard for me to imagine a time will I will be more proud. It will be a family affair as our daugther is singing a solo, accompanied by my wife.

Peter serves on the staff of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Worth. He heads their multi-site, The Summit in Aledo. Mark recently completed his ministry as a urban missionary with LINC North Texas and now is serving as a church planter with Waters Edge Lutheran Church in Frisco, Texas.

There is much more to this story than two brothers who are going through a seminary program together. Both Peter and Mark started on careers that would have taken them in different directions. At one time or another both of them told me, "I see what your life is like and I don't think I will go into full-time ministry." God had other things in store, and in time both of them decided on a career in the ministry. I guess God does have a sense of humor, "never say never."

If there is a lesson here it's that, as parents, we need to allow our kids to pursue their dream. If they give up that dream, or head in a different direction, it needs to be their decision. At all times, turn them over to the Lord and pray that He accomplishes his plan in their lives. If they are on God's path, nothing we will do or say should interfere.

By the way, our daugther graduated with from TCU with a degree in music education, and then decided on a career in worship leadership. She now is following in her mother's shoes.

It's amazing how God works.