Unlikely Teachers

March 11th, 2010

One that still has much to learn can still teach what he knows.

After my “where are my mentors” whining post I’ve been thinking alot about learning from others.  I read one of the links about bringing others along the path you’ve travelled and I was shocked by the part about asking God to send mentors into your life if you’re lacking them.  What a concept.  How have I missed that? 

I was also surprised at my comfort that those who are further along in raising lots of littles still have their own struggles with raising lots of olders.  I’ve struggled with continuing to give advice about having 2 children under 2 when I’m struggling so much with having 5 children under 8.  But it made me realize that just because we need someone to teach us the next step in this child-raising dance that we might still have the first few steps down to an art.  We have something to offer.  We still have much to learn. 

And it also got me to thinking – am I taking advantage of the teachers that are already in my life? 

Just a day or two after that post we had a repairman come over.  While I was filling out the check, my sons were nosing around his truck.  They commented on the type of flashlight he had and that we used to have one just like it.  I laughed and added, ”Yes, but I’m sure his still works since he doesn’t have little ones ‘playing’ with it.”  He smiled and said with a wink, “Actually, my workers are frequently taking the batteries out of them on a job site to put in other necessary tools and forgetting to replace them.  So I’m also without a working flashlight alot.  But you know, it’s just stuff.  I could stay on my men to keep the trucks cleaner and replace batteries, but I’d probably lose a lot of my good workers over stuff.  A lot like raisin’ young’n's, right?”

It was nothing new.  But a much-needed reminder.  The Teacher sent me a teacher at a time that I needed to relearn an old lesson.  Certainly not how or who I’d have thought it would be.  But a learning moment all the same. 

What are some of your unexpected moments?  Who were some of your unlikely teachers?  Is it as hard for you to be teachable as it is me?!