Should I grow a beard now?

I could not have known how much it would matter to me that I am a Grandfather. Here is my daughter Monica, a new mother herself, having a blast with her grandpa. (on the left) But isn't the title "grandpa" is for men with gray hair (oops, I've got some of that), goofy stories to tell (hmmm... I have plenty of those), and beards big enough so surprises can be hidden in them and found - it's kind of a "buried hairy" game for grand kids.

These were a just a few of the attributes my father embedded in my understanding of the grandfather role while he successfully kept a sort of mystique alive while enjoying and entertaining my two girls. The pictures of his several grand kids playing with his beard are particularly memorable. Who needs Play Station (what is it version 12 by now) when you have hair cascading from you face and neck!

I find myself wondering what kind of grandfather I will be, now that Rachael Elizabeth Stauffer has passed one month old and is headed straight for her pre-teens. I know the time will be precious and very enjoyable, but will also pass so quickly that I want to plan now so I will not be left struggling to grow a beard when it is too late.

I expect my job is to enjoy this little girl more than to impress or impart, but it is impossible for me to avoid thoughts of my part in a living legacy - now in its next edition. I can't wait for my knee to become tired from the bouncing, my eye's to be bloodshot from staring in amazement, my hands to be numb from applauding her successes. I know she will one day realize how blessed she is, in stead of burdened, to have Monica and Matt to love and support her, and that the Stauffer family doesn't play in the minor leagues when they pitch their love.

One day she'll 'get' how much she is loved. But right now I just hope one day to 'get' the words out. I only hope I can speak when she stands before me, cute as her mother did many years ago and I know very well I will have to focus my attention hard just to release her from my arms the first time she runs to jump into them. Somehow I miss it already and it has not yet happened. I guess I just can't wait to know this, my little girl's little girl!

Today I just wonder if the what, when, and how's of my love will be received in any way comparable to what I feel for her, her mother and her dad. I am starting a list of "stories to make sure to tell the grand kid(s)." These will be our little (or big) secrets and should prove very fun around the holidays as we remember the lives lived prior.

I'm not throwing away my razor yet, but I will be practicing my dad's silly magic thumb trick so the Elvy legacy will breathe on.

It's good the be a grandpa, even when. right now, I'm mostly looking forward!

Does "random" ever hit the target?

It matters that we wish to express the love of God to our fellow mankind, but I wonder sometimes about the way we've chosen to deploy that expression.

What is the target, and what is the effect of “Random acts of kindness?” They, by themselves, do not demonstrate the relationship God wants to have with the ‘happenstance' person who receives the kind act. The kindness is received more like a sunny day, or cool breeze – something that was “chance,” but welcome. God provides the sun and wind every day but churches are not filled because of them.

Unless I share that I am compelled by God to reach out, there is not even the slightest scent of a relational love in the air. By identifying the one (Jesus) who compels me to reach out in kindness, the recipient can, at least, recognize relationships with Jesus do exist – albeit in another person. I have seen many of these acts of kindness take place in a matter of seconds at intersections and at the entrances to sporting events, but I wonder how much 'relational smell for God' is generated. I wouldn't mind stinking it up for God if I thought it worked.

While the "random act" has seemed to be deployed less and less in many church ministries, I wonder what the intended target really was in the first place. If the result (the recipients smile and appreciation) is suppose to somehow to run parallel to the story of the Good Samaritan who helped a person in need, then I think we need to re-focus our aim a bit. The one beaten by the side of the road was abandoned and in great need. We are to rush to the outcast and pain-filled with our bottles of water, not the one about to spend $4.00 on a soda or $6.00 for a beer.

While folks walking to a ball game may indeed be thirsty, they are not in great need at that time, and are very unlikely to see the kindness of a water bottle as life nurturing. I am not saying that a cup of cold water is not exactly the needed, even life saving, thing required in another situation, but I can't help but see some random kindness efforts are un-tailored suits suppose to fit everyone. Is it an act of kindness at all when we do not recognize that each person has specific needs?

I don't know that this type of outreach is anything more than advertising and getting a church logo into the hands of the general public. Admittedly, I have never had the personal experience of my water bottle 'kindness act' opening up a conversation in which the recipient could get a glance at the genuine love that I wish to convey - maybe I'd have a different response if even one person did. Maybe the odds were just not in my favor. But impacting a person personally is what God does, and I think we should look for ways to do that too - even if the total numbers are initially smaller I believe a greater impact would ultimately be realized.

So I will target my efforts on the individual when, unlike the morning "Hello, how are you?" does not really allow or intend for the question to be answered, I know there is time to encourage them with a quick word of hope. I don't need more than a few seconds, but I think it is a kinder act when my action is not random but personalized.

All this brought to mind by my recent 'encouragement encounter' with a Bigg's Supermarket cashier.