We have all heard the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new trick.” Frankly, that is a rather depressing idea. Being an old dog, metaphorically, I want and need to learn new stuff all the time. There is another saying, “Be a lifelong learner.” That is where I want to live my life, learning all the time.
The challenge for me is I have forgotten things I used to know. I have two website I used all the time. One is this one. The second is my mission site, As We Go Missions, where I update what is happening with the clinic at Maranda. I also share the journeys that Sherry and I are taking. There is a place to donate to the cause as well as sign up for a mission trip. But that is not what this is about.
Today, this old dog tried to help his daughter start her blog site. I think I am pretty good at WordPress. Today, I was reminded that I am limited at best. She is using a hosting site I am not familiar with, a theme that I have never used, and is doing things I am not really wanting or needing to do. I am lost. I was at best a coach that got here to the right theme. Other than that, I am not much help. There are some things I can teach her down the road, but for now she is on her own. Then again, that is how I learned so good luck.
Lately, I have been learning a number of new things and getting some great refresher lessons as well. I have been at Week of Missions for this week. I have been inspired, cajoled, entertained, motivated, and blessed. I have two new books to add to the pile and been given a couple of assignments to track. Speakers have challenged my (all of us) to rethink the way we do missions, where to focus some prayer, and how we approach the hard stuff of life. This last item was particularly helpful.
I have also received affirmation on my choice of hats. People appreciated and some have signed on to our new mission effort. This elderly retired preacher, now occasional missionary, and parttime funeral home employee come away from this conference with some new tricks. I still am not much help for Amber and her website, but for other things I am ready to put new tricks to work. And maybe I’m not as old as the number I just celebrated would indicate.