Son of a preacher man

I don't know why that random song (1969, I wasn't even born - I doubt even God had thought that far ahead!) just came to mind but it did...even though the only connection it shares with what I was thinking about is the word "preacher".

I've spent alot of time thinking about the whole "officer's kid" scenario...not because I am one but because I might one day have one, and don't know quite what to make of it! When I went through the stage of fighting and ignoring God's call to officership, one of my big questions was about children, and the disruption it would cause them - especially in the army, where officers are moved around. How would it affect their upbringing, schooling, ability to form lasting relationships etc. Once I realised that it was a long way off yet and purely hypothetical, my mind switched to my own parents - the other side of the coin, being potential "officers parents".

I still remember the shame and embarassment I felt when I eventually told my mum what I felt God calling me to do. And I still remember the most terrifying schoolboy clanger I dropped just a few months ago when I told my Dad...let me set the scene. I don't see him often, and so a suitable moment hadn't really arisen for me to tell him - even if it had I would have been too scared to do it. Back in June, I got baptised and in response to Nicky Gumbel's famous "how did you become a Christian" and "what difference has Jesus made in your life" questions, I briefly mentioned the fact that God had called me to work for the church in full time ministry. By this time I was comfortable with the whole thing, had given up arguing with God and was keen to get on with it. But as I came off the stage I saw my dad sitting a few rows back, remembered that I still hadn't told him, and realised the clanger I'd just dropped...in front of 1000 people. I'd never felt so stupid in all my life, and prayed for the ground to open up in front of me!

But I digress...the fact is that they both took it better than I had imagined, even though I hadn't honed my smooth-talking skills when it came to telling them. Although I now can't wait to fulfil this calling, I often think about how my family might feel - or any other people in that situation, when I can't tell them where I'll be, what I'll be doing, how much I'll be earning, how often I'll see them, etc. All these things (except maybe the last one!) are, I guess, things every parent wants to be assured of...so am I in a way failing them by not being able to answer them? Of course not, because God must (and does) take priority...and He sees the commitment and sacrifice involved in taking up His call...see Luke 9:57-62

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good bye to my family." Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

This morning I came across a quote on the Kopli corps blog (the church we went to in Estonia last week)..."Those parents who release their child to missionary service are, in a very real way, placing their most tender affections at the feet of the cross. By calling their child, God gives them a unique opportunity to show their love for Him. How precious their sacrifice must be in Gods eyes! Who better than He could understand what it costs a parent to give his child so that sinners can be saved?" Problem solved!

If anyone can share their worldly wisdom on this subject, I'll love you for ever!