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Brady Pope is in the second grade.  He has an older sister and a new baby brother, which now puts him in that unique and sometimes mysterious category known as “the middle child”.  His dad, Spencer, happens to be Kathy’s baby brother and they live on “the farm” across the road from Granny.   To say that Brady is “all boy” is a vast understatement.  He’s in a league of his own and has basically one gear and it runs full throttle.   He and his siblings are a part of the second crop of grandchildren for the Popes. His best friend is Granny (Kathy’s mom).   However, Jami and Kathy are probably neck in neck in the race for “next best friend” status.  While visiting her mom recently, Kathy decided it was time to have a little heart to heart with Brady concerning his eating habits.  They were out running some errands and he was hungry. (There is something you need to understand about my wife.  The “mother/teacher” gene runs deep within her soul and her “opportunity radar” is always functioning.)  As they considered where they might eat, Kathy thought it was the ideal time to bring up a lesson on nutrition.  She told Brady that he really needed to eat a more balanced diet to grow strong and healthy.  He should focus a lot more on fruits and vegetables, and a lot less on chips and candy.  Then to drive her point home, she told Brady he needed to eat more of the things that God has made for us (fruits and veggies) as opposed to the things that man has made (chips and candy).  Brady listened carefully to what his Aunt Kathy said and after a moment responded by saying, “God made pigs”.  (You see, some of his favorite foods are Vienna sausages, hot dogs, bologna, and undercooked bacon.)   Although he was unaware of it, Brady’s answer reflected a desire to bend the rules until they fit his lifestyle.  We want rules we can shape, instead of rules that will shape us.  We have laughed about his response, but how often we miss the point because we are too busy trying to find a way around some God given direction.  God did indeed make pigs, but you might want to try eating them in moderation.

From the mouth of babes,
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I believe our recent decision to add Laura Smitherman to our staff team, as Children’s Minister, will be seen as another defining moment in the history of DeSoto Hills.  However, this decision does not come without a price.  The bottom line is that it does cost to add staff. Laura will be moving here somewhere around the 24th.  I have encouraged her to then spend some time with her family in Birmingham prior to beginning her ministry here.  She will be with us during VBS.  That week will give her a great opportunity to get to know your kids and for them to get to know her. Our faithfulness in giving will ensure that we can continue to see this and other ministries flourish.

A fellow giver,

P.S.

Kathy and I are in my hometown of Crossville, TN today attending a memorial service for my aunt.  My dad was the youngest of eight children and it seems with each year the family number continues to dwindle.  My cousins ask me to come back home to do the memorial.  I pray you will have a glorious day at DeSoto Hills and I will look forward to seeing you Wednesday night as we continue to study 10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe.   This week we will explore a myth about parenting that you will not want to miss.