Paradox

I think the most easily recognizable paradox in the Bible would be the one that states, one must lose his life to save it (or maybe the last shall be first and the first shall be last).  I recently read a book by Charles Colson entitled, The Good Life, in which Colson discusses the many paradoxes of life. Like all his books, it's packed with incredible depth and insight into God's call on our lives. 

But it reminded me of Jeff and how he is trying to see his call in being a father, and it reminded me of how he is trying to live these paradoxes out in front of our children. Because we aren't missionaries and we don't live in abject proverty, I think it's hard to see us living our call. And, believe me, I regular step out of what I feel God is asking us to do and act like a complete fool wanting my own way, or worse, wander around in a delusional mess thinking that I'm missing something.

But, then I read things like this, 

"What we strive for can often be what we least need. What we fear most can turn out to be our greatest blessing." 

Or this,

"Freedom lies not in the conforming to the world's expectations or even realizing what we take to be our deepest wishes; it lies in follwing the call on our lives. Each of us is called to some work, and our ultimate joy and fulfillment will come in our obedience to that mission." 

Jeff seems to live by this: "The outcome depends on how we choose to react to a crisis. It's not so much what happens in life that matters as how we react." 

I think this picture is hilarious!  It reminds me of two things.

First, Taylor's expression is that of Jeff's.  He truly believes you either get better from situations or you get bitter.  Claire's expression is indicitive of me! I get frightened and want to protect or insulate to the point of missing the blessing and growth. 

The kids know a "daddy trip" is available to them on birthdays 5, 8, 11, 14, and 17 (after that, they have to start taking Jeff).  It's a trip alone with Jeff, one child/one parent (the girls opted to go together this time, but it's not preferable and Jeff says he will go back to one-to-one after this exception to the rule).  When we lived in the states, the trips were confined to the lower 48, which only had to be implemented because someone almost invariably asked for Alaska or Hawaii for their "weekends" away with dad. 

Jeff loves the one-on-one time with each child, and the trips have created some amazing memories, but it's not so much the places, as it is knowing that "Daddy wants to do this with me." And, while Jeff takes the kids to places of their choosing, he so often pushes them to try new adventures in those places. He gives them the courage by just being present.  As Colson writes so beautifully, "To live the good life, we have to understand how much our lives belong to others, and what a good thing that it."

Our church in HK, Island ECC, gave chopsticks out each week for our pastor's series, Be Cool. We now have six sets (and, yes, we use them) that remind us to live for one another: Fellowship with one another, Forgive one another, Accept one another, Serve one another,  Love one another, and Encourage one another. If you want to listen, our pastor is on the same level with Tim Keller - truly - and his name is Brett Hilliard. Here's a link to his podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/hk/podcast/island-ecc-podcast/id266782036?mt=2