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Location: Midland, MI | My oldest son, all of 15, announced this evening, shortly after dinner, that he has decided what he wants to be when he grows up.
Never mind that I, being considerably older than he, have yet to decide what *I* want to be when (if?) I grow up.
He has decided he would like to be a priest/pastor/minister. I suppose it could be much worse.
I also suppose that the bottle of cab I bought on my way home from work is pretty darned good. Heavy on the dark fruits and the nose is soft.
Perhaps I should have bought two. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | not many fathers can go to their son for confession |
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Location: WV | Cruster,
From someone who "survived" 12 years of Catholic education I attended school with several people that had relatives in the priesthood. It's my understanding that having such relates to the airline industry where an employees relatives can fly for free. As I see it you have a cetain carte blanche or "Get Out of Hell Free" card. :)
On the downside he could wind up a Televangelist....... |
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Location: Upper Left USA | I can give you the name of a few Presbyterian Seminary Schools! They were expecting him!
(a Predestination Joke for the wider circle)
It took two bottles of Pinot Gris the night my Daughter brought home the Older/Felon/Dude.
This too shall pass. |
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Posts: 327
Location: Houston, TX | Since he is 15, I would encourage him to fire one up, read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, and try Dark Side via headphones.
These enlightening lessons are not dated, and will give him a boost on his spiritual quest.
Wait a minute...memory doesn't always equate to good advice. Sorry. |
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| Does he realise he'll have to work weekends? |
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Location: Midland, MI | JeffW - I suppose, on the other hand, that every father could go to *the* Son for confession. ;)
Bob - Doubt he'd wind up a televangelist. Although, I wouldn't have guessed he would consider becoming a man of the cloth. Mebee I could guide him towards being a rebbe instead.
Woody - Got the joke; made me laugh. Used to 'debate' predestination vs. free will regularly with a friend of mine (MA Div., former Presbyterian minister)...good times. Glad I don't have girls. You know the old saying...with a boy, you only have to worry about one ; with a girl, you have to worry about all of 'em. The cab was a 2001 Mirassou...never had it before, worked well.
Scott - Hrmm, not behavior I would encourage...wanting my kids to avoid the mistakes I made. :) One of his friends was recently busted for holding (for his older brother). That led to quite the discussion.
Schroeder - I don't think he realizes he'll have to work. Period. ;)
Ah well...everybody talks about a new world in the morning. A new world in the morning, so they say. |
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Location: south east Michigan | Waxing Philosophic.......
I have 3 boys..18, 20, & 22. When they were 2, 4, & 6 I could envision them right up to their current ages. At that time I was sure they would turn out just as I had envisioned because....well, just because. I chalk that expectation up to the arrogance of begginning fatherhood. Up until puberty (theirs) arrived things went pretty well. Then these evil scions started to delvelope a sense of independence and a desire to govern themselves. At this point they became such strangers. I was amazed that they all came off the same assembly line. It was some tough years. It could have been, and I have seen much worse in other households. And it was only my oldest son that got the attention of the local law enforcement department just one time.
But for a while now my two oldest sons are showing some signs that their brain is starting to resume normal function. At times they will make a decision that makes me shake my head and wonder where it's maturity came from.
For years I tried to get across to them that it was time for me to be "Dad"...not "Daddy". It took a while for me to believe that myself. It was when I was able to let go of being "Daddy" that they showed noticeable personal growth.
I have read that this rebel phase is normal and is just part of the process. I realize that my actions can either shorten or lenghten this event.
So...keep them safe...keep them legal, and try to remember that somewhere, deep in their hard drive there is a program running in the background of your design. If it was installed properly, it will start running again in do time. |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Could be much worse! At least he didn't tell you he wanted to live in England or worse yet, Texas! |
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Location: central nj | Encourage him with his decision. God is in control of everything. If it is not meant to be, God will let him know through circumstances, Prayer, Advice from others, and by reading HIS word, the bible. Showing a lack of enthusiasm may cause him to rebel and want it even more. Hope my advise is helpful. |
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| willard - I'm offended. And the Queen wasn't too amused when I told her.
I've just been out for a meal with my daughter and 3 of her friends to celebrate her 12th birthday. It was wonderful - I somehow doubt that the next few years will be quite so peaceful.
crusty ol boy - he'll either get over it or get to do it. as his father you'll get the blame either way. and the bill. |
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Location: Keller, TX | Originally posted by willard:
Could be much worse! At least he didn't tell you he wanted to live in England or worse yet, Texas! Ouch. Tanya Tucker may debate that point. |
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Location: Valparaiso, FL | I worked in the corporate world for 20 years before becoming a pastor. There are similarities and differences a plenty. Bottom line is you still have to work with people. If you do either right, it's not about you.
One word I absolutely don't miss hearing though...
quota. |
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Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Just wanted to say, I'm not discouraging this; dinner time discussions around here are as likely to include comparative religion as politics or the weather. Everything happens for a reason, we'll see if he sticks to it. It was just a somewhat shocking surprise. Or surprising shock. I'm not sure. ;) |
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Location: south east Michigan | If that's the most shocking thing he comes up with you're doing alright. |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | Cruster -- look at it this way: this may help you sort through your agnosticism.
For some, ministry becomes like the Mirassou cab: a real crowd pleaser with good qualities that offend no one, but nothing that really improves with age. You don't want that for him.
I have a lot more education than most of the attorneys I know, and as much as my brother who is a primary care physician and university instructor in Internal Medicine. What they all have in common is that they make a LOT more than I do.... I suspect the other pastors on this board can testify that it isn't a profession chosen for the money.
I DO get to play Ovations every week in a good band before an appreciative audience without cigarette smoke.... But wait... I didn't have to go to seminary for that.... |
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Location: Powder Springs, Ga. | Let's hope he chooses Pastor over Priest otherwise you're not going to get any grandkids from him. |
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Location: Midland, MI | Ummm...I'm not agnostic. I hold that the existance of G-d is not only knowable, but self-evident. I am, however, a Cynic. Maybe a bit sarcastic. But...neither agnostic nor athiest. :)
I'm not concerned about his income generating ability, and don't generally encourage the boys to consider only high paying professions. In fact, I have always come at the compensation topic from the other side of the equation...doesn't matter how much you make if you don't have any debt and live within your means. ;) It's all about priorities and choices, and one should choose to do what makes one happy.
I do wonder how his new found interest in things ecclesiastical will impact his interest in playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends. Who knows, he may 'outgrow' this in six weeks or a year.
And yes, this is the most shocking, surprising thing he's done thus far. Now, his younger brother... ;) |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | I had planned to work with the Chruch when I was in High School. I was envolved with a group called Young Life and I was sure I wanted to be a Young Life Leader. I worked with some High School groups while I was at Ball State and realized that I wasn't cut out to be that ACTIVE ALL THE TIME. 30 years later I'm back in the Church working with kids. I still don't have the energy that the youth directors have but at least I can help out. Give him some time. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Most adolescents go through this stage, seeking a sense of belonging to something larger than themselves. as they begin to grow out of the egocentric,"the world is here to serve me", perspective of childhood. The age when kids, rebel, join gangs, math club, become young republihooligans, find god etc...seeking something that helps them define the world and their place in it beyond being a child in a family(...for some this is only a short and temporary foray).
I remember this stage in my life very well, and if any of you guys really cared about me, you would buy me the new 12fret 05 Adamas. |
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Location: Midland, MI | You mean the world isn't here to serve me? WTF?! Why didn't anyone tell me this sooner?
Man...
Now what. |
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Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Cruster,
Maybe you didn't get the point in my previous post?
All this is really about me. |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | Cruster - okay.... now back to the Cab. |
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Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Nah, the Mirassou is gone. I think the house is too dry...all of the good wine seems to evaporate as soon as you decant it. Or uncork it in some cases. :) |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Jeff,
I can't buy you the 12 fret Adamas....but I can offer to let you come over anytime and play it!! |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | T28,
Cool, I'll bring mine along and you can play it. |
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Way OT: My oldest son has made a decision