For Pastor Appreciation month, here's a little tribute to my pastor.

Pastor Bob Huber went to glory on July 4 this year, or to put it as he referred to a believer's death: he graduated. And while I can say so much about his impact on me with his teaching, I think more of his impact was felt through things I observed.

For example…

One particular snowy Wednesday night at North Street Christian Church, many many years ago, one of his grandsons (who shall remain unnamed, I'll call him “Abe”) got into a bit of trouble. I guess if “Preachers' Kids” are notoriously mischievous, “Preachers' Grandkids” must be worse...? We were holding our weekly kids' program and Abe (who must have been around 5-7 years old) was wondering the halls of the church. He asked his teacher for a restroom break, but told any adult who stopped him in the halls that “his class took a field trip walking to the park without him”. (Not likely, it was snowy, dark, and about 12 degrees outside.) So he basically blew off most of the evening by lying to both sides.

After the classes dismissed and people were slowly filtering out of the church, I was walking by Abe being “disciplined” by Pastor Bob: “You have to stay in your class, you can't be lying to people and wondering around by yourself...” - trying to sound as stern and serious as possible.

Abe listened, and while Pastor Bob was still talking, Abe put his little hands on Pastor Bob's cheeks and squished them together, essentially giving Pastor Bob “fish lips”, and Abe just very calmly and sweetly said, “Awwww. You are such a cutey-pie.”

I could see Pastor Bob breaking. Then he was stifling his laughter – discipline time was officially ineffective... and over.

What did this anecdote teach me? Nothing ultra profound or deep, but a reminder of something that will change your life if you let it: you don't always have to take yourself so seriously.

I'm still learning. Miss you, PB.

jeff

-not a cutie-pie, in the traditional sense