I’m leading a small group this summer and we kicked off this morning. We’ll spend an hour together for seven weeks. We shared stories this morning and a couple things really made me think. I’m leading the group but I take a learning approach to everything. I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said, “Every man is my superior in some way, in that I learn of him.” I happen to be the mentor but I think I’ll learn as much as anybody in the group. Here are a few of the things I learned. A few of the people talked about parents being “emotionally absent” or not having much emotional presence. That really challegned and convicted me me because I want to be there for my kids–heart, soul, mind, and strength. I know there are days where I put them to bed and collapse. I just don’t feel like I’ve got anything to give at the end of the day because I’ve already spent all of my energy. But I know I’m called to bring my energy and emotions into my role as dad. We’re really trying to be proactive this summer. I think that’s the key to parenting. We’re calling it our summer of adventure. I think it’s all about taking the time and energy to make pre-decisions. Parenting boils down to proactivity. It was also inspiring to hear about people’s hurts. I think we’re all wounded healers. We help people where we’ve been hurt. That is the way God redeems those things! By the way, I’m approaching this group from the socratic standpoint. The word education means “to draw out.” So I’m asking the group to come with questions and those questions will be the wind that fills the sails that take us where we’re going. I can’t wait to see where we end up in seven weeks!