Bruno Mauer wins either a candy bar, or the Starbucks beverage of his choice for suggesting a new name for this column. Unfortunately, while Bruno’s coolness is beyond question, “Useful Contemplations” is somewhat lacking in the coolness department. Therefore, I am doubling the reward. Two candy bars OR two trips to Starbucks for the person who submits a winning title. Please send suggestions in writing or via e-mail
Many of you have asked over the past few weeks about the “other” kids, the ones who chose not to be confirmed. What can we do to reach out to them? The short answer is, we can love them, even enough to let them go. There is no domination in love, no coercion. At the same time, there is no cutting off, no abandonment.
Every son or daughter of the church who chooses to leave should cause tears in us. Every time a young person leaves it should cause us to examine ourselves, to uproot anything less than the welcoming, forgiving love of Jesus. If it doesn’t hurt when they leave, if we don’t know them well enough to miss them, then something is fundamentally wrong.
It takes two to maintain any relationship, and it is fully possible for someone to reject love no matter how often or sincerely it is offered. But these are kids, and therefore the burden lies with us. Go to their games. Listen to their music. Ask them about their lives. Choose to be so involved in their lives that when they leave, they miss you.
I know that’s a high standard. Suppose we can’t meet it. Suppose the children’s parents refuse to give us the chance. Then the very least we can do is give them the choice and love them enough to let them go. But suppose you want to do more than the least. Adopt a grandkid, or a niece, or a nephew, or a son, or a daughter. Make it your job over the next year to treat those kids as if they were your own family, because they are.
Rev. Rob Brink
Associate Minister