Job Description

Jason and I have noticed that Ava is really starting to show a deeper interest in spiritual things and God. We've always prayed with her and tried to make talking about God a part of our daily life. For all that though, we are a very normal family and some days are better than others. We're still working on the whole "do unto others" thing! But lately her questions have gotten more thoughtful. Man, I'd love to see inside that little mind of hers! I think there is a lot going on in there. It's awesome to see her faith take shape.

She also grasps what we do more and more. We've never really made a big deal out of explaining what it means to be ministers or pastors. It's not that we conceal it or anything--it's just never occurred to us to sit down and go, "Ava this is what we do and this is what it's called." I guess she's just spent several years now watching us and figuring it out.

The other day she and I were talking about our upcoming trip to the States. She started asking me what would happen with the church while we were away. I was explaining that we'd arranged for others to come and speak and that there were people who would make sure everything ran smoothly. "But Mom," she said, "Who's gonna stand up and talk about love? Who's gonna tell everyone?"

It made me smile to know that that is how she would summarize what we do. That in her years of sitting in services, Sunday after Sunday, that's what she's picked up on. I'm hoping it's a definition of "church" that she carries her whole life. And maybe one day she, and Nate, and Grace will be the ones standing up and talking about love.

Amen. (So be it.)