Sometimes there is a generation gap between my two sons and me. I dont get a lot of their techno-speak. They dont get a lot of my old-fogy jokes and astuteness.
One way we totally get each other is on the topic of homework. As a student, from Kindergarten through Seminary, I disliked homework. I didnt like the fact I spent all day in school, then had to do school work a good part of every evening. The worst was the review worksheets. To this day, I just cant stand that kind of busy work.
When my boys, 16 and 13 years old, complain about homework, I have to raise my shields, disguise my agreement with them and get tough.
Just get your homework done.
What are you complaining about? School is your work, do your work.
You can do that homework better than that, lets do it again.
All the time, in my heart, I am feeling their pain.
Now that school is out for the summer, my guys dont have any homework, but their dear old dad still has lots of work to do. Thinking that my oldest son would commiserate with me, I whined at Chuck, You dont have any homework for weeks, but I still have sermons, studies, newsletters, preparations for meetings, meetings, and minutes of meetings to write. How come I have to do homework 12 months a year?
I was on a roll. I am 50 years old, been out of school for 20 some years, and I still have homework. It just isnt fair.
If anyone could understand my frustration with homework it had to be Chuck. Of course, he double-crossed me with his answer.
Well, Dad, it is your job! All those tough things I say to them about their work was repeated to me. Who thought he even listened?
Anyway, Chucks point, and it was a good one, is that we are Christians 24/7. We never take a vacation from our vocation as Christs disciples.
Jesus sent us out into the world to make disciples, not just when we feel like it.
Jesus commissioned us to love God and love each other all the time.
Jesus said, As the Father has sent me, so I send you. We are sent and must go, even when we think it isnt convenient or the right time.
We are tasked with worship, Bible study and prayer, and that involves homework, school work, work work, and everywhere work.
The apostle Paul tasks us in 1st Thessalonians 5:17 to Pray constantly. That is about the best everywhere work we have ever been given.
The Rev. Steve Nofel is co-pastor of Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church.