"You have learned well, Grasshopper..."

Remember the old "Kung-Fu" series with David Carradine? When he was in the monastery, learning his discipline, his mentor constantly referred to him as "Grasshopper". The mentor modeled and taught, and "Grasshopper" learned. It's a cycle that has been repeated throughout history. At different times in life, and in different settings, we each fill roles both as learners and as mentors.

So have I mentioned how much I enjoy the outdoors? When I was younger I used to run- everywhere, all the time (R-u-n, For-rest! R-u-n!). Then I got into bicycling. Then paddling. I've enjoyed paddling the most, and it's stuck with me the longest. I started off with a canoe (for about ten years), then tried a kayak- and liked it so much that I went home and sold my canoe. I've been kayaking now for about four or five years, and have bought and sold a number of boats (my wife complains that I've "bought" more than I've "sold"!). I love it so much that I can't wait to introduce others to it. In fact, within a couple of weeks of the day our first grandson was born I bought a used child's kayak for him (hey- I got it really cheap at a moving sale!). It's been hanging in the garage waiting for him to get big enough to paddle it on his own.

He turned three several weeks ago... still not quite big enough for his kayak, but plenty big enough to go paddling with his dad and me. So the three of us went paddling. I was in "Mr. Tippy" (yes- there's a reason for the name, but that's another story...), and my son and grandson were paddling together in a sit-on-top.

While my son and I were putting on our PFD's, we sat the grandson in one of the boats still pulled up on shore. When I caught movement out of the corner of my eye, I turned to see him (paddle in hand) going through the motions of a pretty good paddling stroke, singing "Row, Row, Row your Boat." How did he know to do that? (see a short video clip) As we paddled out on the lake, I watched lovingly as Andy spoke to Aaron, telling him what he was doing, why he was doing it, and pointing out sights you could only see from a boat- fish swimming by, baby ducks following their mom through the cattails, a turtle's head popping above the surface to see what was making all that racket. I saw him place the paddle in Aaron's hands and then place his hands over Aaron's, guiding him through the motions of a perfect stroke.

Although in different venues, everyone does the same thing- we teach someone to play tennis, play the piano, cook, sew or sing. We seem so purposeful in making sure that we faithfully pass on whatever we know to another who is willing to learn. And I wondered, "Are we as intentional in passing on our knowledge about God?" I doubt it. Not for the majority. Whether we consider it too personal, or ourselves too un-knowledgeable, we are often silent about what is ultimately most significant.

I can't begin to tell you how excited I am that my grandson is displaying an interest in, and aptitude for, kayaking-because I love kayaking. I plan to do everything I can to continue to foster that interest. But even more, I pledge to do everything that I can to make sure that he grows to know about God, too. Because I love Him infinitely more than kayaking.

"Come, walk with me, Grasshopper. I want to tell you about someone I have come to know and love..."