Robert Runner and his family drove 75 miles every week to Wykoff for a Bible Study. I especially liked going to the Early’s farm for the study, because not only did they live on a farm, but they had two boys just a little younger than I. They raised cattle and had a huge barn used for storing hay. A three legged dog would greet you. He only had three legs because one of them was shot off while hunting. (His name was Lucky!) Wykoff is located in South-East Minnesota and is located in some of the most beautiful area in the country. Beautiful trees, crystal clear spring-fed creeks, rolling hills, fields of corn, oats, and alfalfa hay checker the country side. So to say that I was excited to be invited to spend two weeks with the Early’s is an understatement! Not only was I invited to stay there, but they offered me a job baling hay at .10 cents a bale!

When I told dad about the offer, He was excited for me, but he also had a concerned look on his face. He said, “Well, Bruce, you know you would have to miss church…”

I knew that, but it didn’t seem like that big a deal for a 13-year-old to miss church. But dad was firm. To him it was serious.

“I tell you what. If you are willing to preach a sermon, and lead a worship service, you can go.”

Now I was an introvert and did not like to get up in front of people to do anything. This was a deal breaker. But I wanted to go, so I agreed. When Sunday came along, I gave a 10 minute sermon, led them in singing a couple of songs, and served them communion.

Dad was a dad of grace. He could have said, “No! I don’t want you missing church!” Instead, he figured out an option where I could go and also please him and God at the same time.

This is the challenge of every parent. We want to make our kids happy, but we want to please God and do the right thing. May God give us wisdom to do that.