For those whose kids ask awkward questions: Rivet & Pivot

I know what an un-distracted, totally focussed teaching moment with my kids should look like. This was not it: 

(Keep in mind, my divorced status was nothing new to my then 7 year old daughter or 6 year old son. And of course my dear current-husband, Michael, was just out of ear shot.)

Daughter: Are Jordan’s parents divorced?

Me: Yes

Daughter: And you were divorced, right?

Me: Yes.

Daughter: So you were married before?

Me: Yes.

Daughter: Who were you married to?

Me: A guy. Michael, can you come in here please?!

Daughter: How long were you married to that guy?

Me: Umm, 6 years. But the important thing is Dad and I are married now and we will not get divorced. We were married in the temple and will be together forever. 

Daughter: Did you marry the other guy in the temple?

Me: Ohhh… MICHAEL! Seriously can you come in here!

Daughter: Well, what was his name?

Me: Umm, his name is irrelevant.

Daughter: That's a weird name.

Husband, Michael, enters the room.

Son: Dad, Mom was married to a guy before you! Rha-ha-ha (evil 6 year old laugh)

Michael: WHAT!!!???

Me - head on table

It reminds me a little of the time when Christ was teaching a crowd in a home in Capernaum and they started to raise the roof ~ literally. Then, plop, right in the middle of Christ’s well prepared, polished and popular sermon, comes a major interruption. This was not how it was supposed to go! But, unlike me, who got stuck and flustered by the deviation, Christ does an elegant pivot. He turns this unexpected moment into one of healing, teaching, and profound insight.

Christ is always focussed on the Father’s mission for Him. He is grounded in the scriptures and in His relationship with God. In this sense, He is “riveted” and steady. But He is not so rigid about how that mission will play out in real life that he can’t “pivot” and adjust to the realities-on-the-ground. Or on-the-roof, in this case. I see this as a demonstration of mindful gospel teaching at it’s best: a blend of being grounded both in gospel truth and the unfolding moment as-it-really-is.

I hope the next time my dinner table gospel discussion goes off script I can “Rivet and Pivot” with as much mindful grace!

Want to figure out how to "Rivet & Pivot" when kids, or life, throw you a curve ball? Therapy can help with that!

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