Tip of My Iceberg

There’s something magical about younger kids having the opportunity–and choosing–to be around respectable young adults with solid character. It’s even more amazing when respectable young adults choose to be around younger kids, not mocking or messing with them, but encouraging them.

Teagan, Joseph, and David have known each other for years, growing up together in various venues, playing for years on the same soccer team, and simply enjoying one another’s company. They value their collective friendship; others who spend time with them enjoy them as well. They’re personable, funny, and kind.

They even like to come over and talk to me. That says something.

We’re having several of our grands staying with us over the next several weeks. This past week, three of our Pennsylvania boys have been down, and they and the local cousins are having a ball together. They’ve been at soccer camp, swimming, laughing, and playing games. The noise level is high, but you can’t limit the fun with sound control.

What impressed me was the impact and influence the three big guys have on the younger kids. They came over one night on a MOG walk–a men of God walk–where they were sharing with the youngsters what it means to walk in your faith in Jesus. Brooklyn was with them, but they embraced her with their kindness, including her in their time together.

Purposeful influencers.

There’s a history of younger people not wanting input from those older than them. Like a three-year-old learning their autonomy, an immediate response is often “I’ll do it myself.” One of the characteristics of the collective of millennials is that they don’t want anyone telling them how to do things. They wanted to learn on their own.

They missed out on the benefits of being mentored, of having someone older than them speak truth into their lives from personal experience.

Learning from those who are older than us, who have wisdom and life experience that can teach us, save us from making mistakes, and provide us with an understanding of what consequences look like is a gift we shouldn’t overlook.

Paul had that kind of relationship with Barnabas, who was a trusted follower of Jesus. When Paul, who had been a Pharisee and a persecutor of all those who followed Jesus, saw a vision of the glorified Christ on the road to Damascus, nobody trusted him because of how he had once been. “When Saul (Paul) arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer. Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.” Acts 9:26-27.

Barnabas was known as a man of integrity and honor. He was well-respected by all those who’d become followers of Jesus. His name means “son of encouragement”, and he had the social capital and credibility that Paul lacked. He taught Paul what it meant to be a man of God.

Paul was a willing learner. Barnabas taught him with kindness.

Teagan, Joseph, and David were kind teachers. The littles learned from them because they looked up to these young men for who they were.

There’s much we can learn from others who characteristically reflect responsibility and dignity.

The question is: Are we willing to learn?