There are the obvious ones who have shaped our lives: parents, grandparents, teachers. Then there are the ones that appear, or “pop up” in certain situations. The older we get, the more the veneer of innocence gets tarnished a little when we realize that our parents are NOT perfect. Same with heroes and role models. It does not mean that they are any less qualified to influence us. You take the bad along with the good.

            My first LPO (Lead Petty Officer) in the Navy was a kind man we all called “Pancho”. He was Latino and near retirement. He was never cross when he was in charge. He earned immense trust and respect from everyone. When he died, the outpouring of tributes from so many in my Navy musician FB group was overwhelming; deservedly so. He guided me into what would become a career with excellent, fatherly advice.

            I also had an LPO who put it bluntly, “Art, you’re too damn nice!” It was his way of telling me that I would never advance in my career if I was a non-assertive push-over. I tried to change with mild degree of success.

In my early years of ministry (which is only fifteen total), I was mentored by a colleague who was also considering retirement. He referenced me anonymously in a book he wrote. He related how I had called him for advice. He returned the call, saying, “Isn’t this your day off?”

            “Well, yeah,…”

            “Tell you what – I’ll call you tomorrow then. In the meantime, keep your feet up and your head down.”

            It was his way of saying, “don’t sweat it today.” It taught me to honor my day off and trust God to work in me when I wasn’t.

            I am thankful and blessed to have had “pop-up” saints come in and out of my life, along with those who have been there with me start until now, like my father. God sends these to us, I believe. It is His unconditional love that is constant, spontaneous, mysterious, and unexpected.

Pastor Art