Vocation in the Valley

Joy, Comfort, and Weight in Vocation

Sunday, September 27th, 2009

I’ve been having so much fun in my new vocation of basketball coach, and I’ve always drawn so much comfort from the doctrine of vocation when it comes to being a father and a husband that I’ve never really pondered the weight of being placed somewhere by God.

Well, I felt that weight yesterday at our circuit forum. My pastor, the circuit counselor, had just prayed for discernment and wisdom after having two 6-6 ties on the balloting for lay delegate to the LCMS national convention next year. My name was next to one of those sixes. What should I do? Should I vote for the other candidate to break the tie? Could I say I would be a better delegate? Was my motivation for seeking to become the lay delegate appropriate? I got a headache. I voted.

I now have the vocation of lay delegate for Circuit 18 of the CNH District. Of course I draw comfort from the fact that God has placed me in this position, but the context for this vocation has made me more aware of the weight surrounding where God has placed me and it is still giving me a slight headache.

I would like thank Erin for supporting me when I told her I would be running. She knows about all the various time commitments and I would not have run if it would have put too much strain on our family. She also knows that I’m doing this for the faith of our family.

I also want to thank my pastor for his support. I will continue to seek his guidance in the months leading up to the convention.

Congratulations are in order for our circuit’s pastoral delegate, Pastor John Bestul of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior (an Issues, Etc. 300 congregation).

Please pray for all the delegates to the convention as there are so many issues that will have profound effects on the synod.

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New Vocation – Basketball Coach

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Looks like I have a new vocation and that is of 2nd grade basketball coach. I’ll be coaching my daughter’s 2nd grade instructional team which is a mix of boys and girls. I have always hesitated when asked if I would coach my children’s sports team. I believe I am knowledgeable enough, but my experience with my father coaching me was less than great. Looking back, it was not my dad’s fault, it was my stubbornness and immaturity, but I’m not sure if my daughter is any more mature and worry about how she’d handle it. So I asked her what she thought of me coaching and she said, “That would be so exciting!” My response was, “Really?” She said, “Yea, you could teach me lots of new stretches and basketball moves.” At that point, how could I refuse?

So, I’ve got some work to do to prepare for this new vocation. I also know where I tend to sin when it comes to sports, so I want to make preparations such that I avoid those situations. I hope that I can pass on the fundamentals and basic skills so they can improve, but most of all I hope to make it fun so they continue to enjoy playing.

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