Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalms 25:4-5)
In my growing up years I attended several different schools. Back in those days there was no kindergarten, so my first school experience was Hamilton Elementary School in Nashville, Tennessee. When we moved to Birmingham, Alabama I finished my elementary school at Barrett Elementary.
I started high school at Banks High School. Then we moved back to Nashville and I attended John Overton High School where I met my lovely wife Betty and we were in the first graduating class.
We went to the University of Tennessee where I got my BS in Industrial Management. After a four-year stint in the Navy I returned to UT to get my MBA.
After graduation I started my first job with Procter & Gamble and I was very happy to no longer be a student.
Of course I didn’t realize that you never stop being a student. I had to learn many different things over my career with Procter & Gamble. I had to learn tons of things to make my marriage to Betty work and last. I had to learn so much on how to be a decent father to our two sons. I’ve had to learn a bunch to work with our horses. I’m in the process of learning to live my life as a senior citizen and what that means physically and emotionally. And, some day I’ll learn how to die. Hopefully all of this with grace.
After choosing to follow Jesus at age 39 I have been learning more and more about God and how he wants me to lead my life. And it hasn’t always been easy.
The Hebrew word for ‘teach me’ in the verse above is ‘lamad.’ It literally means ‘to goad.’ Goad is word we don’t use much any more but it comes from an agricultural world where animals such as oxen and donkeys had to be goaded to get them to work.
God has had to goad me often over the years as I can sometimes be as stubborn as an ox or donkey.
I’m grateful he did. I can’t imagine living my life in the old way.
5 comments:
Hooray for life long learners! I plan to be one, too. :)
Thanks Dan for your timely post. I am beginning to need to learn some new things and I have been a bit resistant to change. Hahaha. I am a bit stubborn, in case you couldn't tell.- Tj
...about that goad... animals very quickly connect the goad and the desired action. Just SHOWING the goad, or lifting it slightly, is enough to redirect. We humans (me) usually require the application, and then a full explanation of what is expected, and what might be in it for us! Every time. Must be frustrating for the good and wise shepherd. mark
I've never stubborn. ;)
You are an inspiration, Mr. Dan. Love you.
"Of course I didn’t realize that you never stop being a student. I had to learn many different things over my career with Procter & Gamble. I had to learn tons of things to make my marriage to Betty work and last. I had to learn so much on how to be a decent father to our two sons. I’ve had to learn a bunch to work with our horses. I’m in the process of learning to live my life as a senior citizen and what that means physically and emotionally. And, some day I’ll learn how to die. Hopefully all of this with grace." Sincere and inspiring words Dan and one of the reasons why your blog is always worth reading.
Excellent post ~
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