=7 Leading From Behind

A telephone call like no other. Noah's phone rang and was answered. “Is this Noah Pierson?”, was the lady's question. “Yes, this is Noah Pierson.” “Well great. I'm Bonnie Tiffin. You sat on our front porch talking with my son Sam a few days ago. He mentioned you and the kind things you had to say to him, and teens as a whole. Well, I have a favor to ask.” There was a pause before Noah caught his breath and replied, “Sure, Mrs. Tiffin. I'll help if I can.”

Mrs. Tiffin spoke, “Mr. Pierson, for the next couple days after you were here, Sammy's spirits were riding high. He didn't stare at the floor nearly as much as he used to. When his dad left after the divorce two years ago... well... he just needs an older wiser buddy to spend some time with and keep the right perspective on things today. Now, I'm sure you're pretty busy these days, but if you could see your way clear to come over and visit with him again, I'd be plum grateful.” Noah's heart wanted to yell out, “I CAN BE THERE IN 20 MINUTES!” But instead, he replied in a friendly tone, “I could come day after tomorrow, after supper, if that's ok with you. I'd prefer calling you that day, before I come, just to confirm.” “Mrs. Tiffin. I'd really like it if you and Sam would call me Noah or Gramps, instead of Mr. Pierson.” “Well, Gramps, I'm sure Sammy will be thrilled. We'll expect a call from you day after tomorrow. Have a good day. Good by.”

Two days later, silver-haired Noah greeted Sam Tiffin on the teenager's front porch. This was fast becoming a 'win-win' friendship. The teenager with a scarred face looked forward to the silver-haired senior's visits very much. And the reverse was true also. Noah began his 'leading-from-behind' mentoring of the teen with, “Sam. I am very serious in saying I thank you for letting me come over and learn about teenagers from you. I mean it.”

“See... two years ago my wife died and it's been pretty tough to find important things for me to do with my days.” Noah looked toward Sam with a soft smile and said, “My mom raised me to be a doer not a watcher. She'd always tell me, 'don't worry about making a mistake. Just get out there and do your best while you're asking God for His help. Noah, don't you cheat God! He wants to join you in doing the things that He's best at. So don't cut Him out.' ”

Noah continued, “Sam, I don't know how many times mom would point her finger in my face and exclaim, 'Noah. We named you after a famous boat builder that spent a long time building something that had never been done before. People laughed at him, but because he was committed to doing his best at what God wanted him to do, many people and animals were saved. And what's more, we're still reading about him today. So son, make us proud, and God happy.'”

After a few moments of quiet, Sam said, “Gramps, I'm just so afraid that kids and people will make fun of me, 'cuz of my burned face. So I just stay home and wish this was all just a bad dream.”

In an instant, Noah slapped both his legs and exclaimed, “Sam! I know what! Let's dream. I have a fairly good imagination, and I'll bet you do too.” Turning in his seat for better eye contact with the teen, Noah said, “Let's make a dream. Here's what we'll do. We are going to dream up a business. You and I'll pretend we're going to start up a business. You know, we've gotta think what we'll sell and how we'll make it and how much it will cost and all that stuff. Wouldn't that be cool?! It doesn't cost us anything to dream, does it, Sam?”

It was like a siren went off, in Sam Tiffin's head. For the very first time his eyes seemed to have a sparkle in them. In some way, it seemed his scarred face didn't make any difference anymore. The teenager wanted to hug Noah, I mean 'Gramps', but wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. The silver-haired senior settled that in short order. His arms had ached a long time for someone to hug, and this was the perfect time. Noah wanted so much for his departed wife to know about the friendship just made, on Sam's front porch.

I think she did. Don't you?

=8 Poster Power Business

Noah was really pumped (excited) on Thursday, as he walked up to Sam Tiffin's front door. There was no doubt this partnership-in-the-making, was absolutely the best of any so-called 'win-win' situations. Though Sam was a new Christian, he desperately needed an older buddy as something of a 'grandpa' to share his teenage feelings and be introduced to some of the potential that God puts in all of us. On the other hand, Noah Pierson needed to be needed, every day, in fact. His precious Nenee had been called home to Glory two years ago and left the house and Noah's daytime hours mighty empty. Silver-haired Noah was already seeing little happenings that told him that God was definitely up to something. That something was starting to show itself as a partnership between Noah, God, and the teenager – Sam Tiffin.

Sam escorted Noah (who preferred to be called 'Gramps') in to the kitchen and were seated at the table. As Gramps voiced the closing 'amen' to his prayer for them, Sam's mom, Bonnie, set two frosty glasses of Sun-iced-tea in front of the pair. She looked toward Gramps and said, “Thanks for coming over, Gramps. We both like it when you visit. I'll leave both you men to talk over business, while I give some buttons their proper home on a blouse. If you need anything, just holler.” She headed for her sewing basket softly humming a happy tune, like she also thought God was up to something wonderful.

Gramps was ready to start the next phase of his 'leading-from-behind' process. “Sam, the last time we talked, we decided it'd be fun to create an imaginary business. You remember?” The enthusiastic reply was, “You gotta be kidding! My mind has been going a mile a minute! I've been getting so many ideas, I had to start making notes.” Noah noticed the scarred scalded face now lit up like a rocket about to jump into orbit - blazing a path to exciting discoveries for this teen and his precious silver-haired friend.

“As we start putting together our imaginary business, you and I both know Satan is going to throw a monkey-wrench into our plans one way way or another. I figured we should start right out using Poster Power.” The teen scratched his head and thought, “Oh no. He's started one of those senile moments that all old folks like Gramps are supposed to get.” The confused look on Sam's face easily told Noah what was going on, in Sam's mind.

“Sam. Try to think of a poster as your own private grandpa. The poster hanging on your bedroom wall is a constant reminder of important things - that Satan does NOT want you to remember. Maybe think of a poster as an important note that shouts.” Noah paused a moment, as he laid a shopping bag on the table in front of them. He began emptying its contents as he spoke, “Before you think I've flipped out, let me do the poster this week and you can do the one for next week.”

The teen almost heard the launch count down in his heart as Gramps continued his explanation in a happy expectant tone. Gramps positioned a poster panel on the table and withdrew a green marker to begin the poster. Sam watched every move, like he might have to do the same thing in front of one of his few friends.

What first appeared on the poster was a large tower with many of those criss-cross beams that gives strength in stormy times. It's not hard to think that each of us need our own supply of criss-cross beams in our own hearts for each stormy moment that Satan sends. After the simple tower was finished, Noah (I mean Gramps) spoke. “Now my poster today is about a fella that wanted to build a tower. This fella was given a rule to go by, that included a warning. Now, Sam. The rule and warning this fella got, was important to him and it's super important to us, as we build our imaginary business. Ya with me?” If Sam was any more interested, he'd forget to breathe. “Yeah, Gramps. Don't stop. What was the rule and warning, that was important?”

“Actually, God had Mr. Luke write it down so we could easily learn and share it. Sam, open your Bible there, to Luke chapter 14, starting at verse 28.” After reading the verse and the next one, the silver-topped mentor went on to explain that counting the cost was a crucial step in PREPARATION to building a tower (or even a business). The rule here was to make sure you had everything needed to start the project, which might be boards, nails, or attitudes and rules.

Now, the warning was that if good preparation was neglected, the project probably wouldn't be finished. If the project wasn't finished, all those watching would be ashamed of the fella. Gramps used a different color marker and wrote next to the tower, “PREPARATION is crucial”. Just below that, was the simple words, “PEOPLE ARE WATCHING.” Whether we want to, or not – each of us are teachers in everything we do. And we'll never know all those who are watching us. We need to always be doing our best – as unto the Lord. Another helpful verse is “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1Corinthians 14:40.

The two at the table continued talking about other preparation steps that should be remembered. Sam said a warm thankful closing prayer to God, and to Gramps, before the 'business' meeting came to a close.

Do you suppose that Jesus 'counted the cost' as plans were put in place for Him to shed His innocent blood on the Cross, for the sin of man?

=9 Ben's Bomb

Space Station astronaut food doesn't place pizza and pop at the top of the menu, but it should, thought Sam. Sam almost choked, trying to get his share of the pizza before his friend Ben, gobbled far more than his share. If it's possible to inhale pizza, Ben is sure to come close. Both pizza-eating teens had very few friends. With his orange spiked hair, it was a little easier to tell that Ben, more than Sam, had some serious unanswered questions in his life. Ben had tried so many bizarre things to find meaning, purpose, peace, and love, it would scare an Army commando.

With the pizza gone, Sam began telling Ben some of the exciting things, his silver-haired friend, Gramps (that's Noah Pierson) had been teaching him. In spite of Ben's orange hair and facial jewelery, he listened closely to all that Sam was saying. Looking into Ben's eyes, you could almost see his brain wheels turning. It was almost like feeding little bits of gasoline into an old car that was trying to come to life, as the lessons of preparation, others are watching, and decently and in order were being shared.

Ben's Bomb Was Dropped!

Mr. Orange Hair (that's Ben) dropped his bomb with the question, “Ok, Sam. So what's your poster going to be about? Startin' this imaginary business, what poster do you think ought to shout to everyone?” In his heart, Sam was pretty sure that Ben was not saved. Ben had told Sam once before, he was sure he wasn't saved. He wanted Ben to talk to Noah as they discussed salvation. The poster in Sam's heart, warned of Ben's need to be saved and sure.

Sam decided to make a different poster for now – but he didn't know what. Ben's finger traced a pattern in the tablecloth and said, “Why don't you make your poster about the 'decently and in order thing'? It sounds pretty important to me – especially in this startup phase.” BOOOM!! The bomb was dropped, with no turning back. Ben's brain wheels had no intention of keeping this 'business' imaginary.

Ben continued, “Look Sam. That phrase... er verse, is two-fisted; I'm thinking 'decently' would mean the AMOUNT or size or speed, or something like that. The 'in order' thing talks about the DIRECTION or sequence. Ya hit the ball and then run to FIRST base, not second.”

The two teens continued planning on the layout for the poster as Sam's mom came in the kitchen to get a toothpick for something. Without any words of interruption, she returned to her sewing project in the living room. She could hardly believe what she had just seen the teens in the kitchen doing. Through all the struggles Sam had been dealing with, since his parent's messy divorce last year, Sam seemed to be finding his right path.

Holding back tears, Sam's mom closed her eyes and could still see HER SON Sam pointing Ben's attention to the words in his open Bible. “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

God is up to something, whether it's with orange hair, pizza, posters, or Heaven's promises.

=10 Hunting Samantha

'Right-Brain Recruiting' might be the title of some guidance Gramps (a.k.a. Noah Pierson) began sharing with the teen boys, forming their imaginary business.

Silver-haired Gramps loved filling his often empty retirement days with thoughts and mentoring of the teen boys, Sam and his newly included Ben. Gramps was super grateful to God for leading the two teens with super challenges trying to reach the 'young adult' class of society. Even a first glance told you the boys were in stormy seas; Sam with his badly scarred face and Ben with his orange spiked hair and considerable facial jewelery.

While first impressions might suggest otherwise, the boys were a 'God-send', literally, in how they gave Noah (I mean, Gramps) a mission for each day. When Sam's mom brought Noah into the kitchen table, Ben and Sam were already there, excitedly sharing ideas for their imaginary business.

Gramps got seated and Bonnie continued her laundry folding tasks in the spare bedroom. Gramps began their meeting by leading the teens in prayer asking for God's leading and unity, knowing Satan is always trying to destroy any Christians working together. Gramps always liked to include a little about salvation, in his prayers; especially since he knew that Sam was saved, but wasn't so sure about Ben.

Gramps began with, “Fellas, I want to share an idea, the Lord put in my heart a couple days ago. It has to do with our business, and how we can make it our best. It has something to do with Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden.” Sam thought, “Oh, no. Gramps is having a senile moment, where his mind is in another world, with this Garden of Eden thing.”

“Guys, I believe we ought to keep our eyes out for a girl to be a part of our business, and here's why. For a whole number of reasons, God partnered a woman with Adam to help take care of the Garden and other things. More than that, he gave Eve some special skills that Adam wasn't especially strong in. For instance, while men take a little more logical mechanical at dealing with life's challenges, women uses skills that scientists tell us are most prominent in the right half of the brain. So in the same way that our left and right halves of our brain compliment each other, so do men's skills and women's skills.”

Gramps continued, “I mean, God has 'wired' women to be more sensitive, to the feelings and visual queues from others. They are more proficient at doing highly repetitive tasks, and even better at multitasking than men are. And it's certainly no secret women are far better at communicating than we are. Now what I've said, doesn't make women better than men or worse. You can't say a fork is better than a spoon, they're each better at doing some things than others.”

“Now fellas, I'm suggesting that we should be asking God to show us a girl or lady that might be better at doing some things in our business, than we are. I'm thinking our business would be hindered by keeping it a 'men and boys' business. We'll be our best if we take lessons from how God does things, and also nature He's created all around us.

=11 Closet Secrets

“I like to write stories,” silver-haired Gramps told his teen friends, Ben and Sam. “Since we've been talking about creating this imaginary business, and just starting to think about what we want to make or do, I made you each a copy of one of my many stories I've written over the years. Take it home and read it without any interruptions... maybe even more than once. Boys, God has many tasks that He needs done for people who are serving Him, and just maybe, we might be a step ahead if we pretend our business was something to help Him and those He loves.”

“Now, most businesses are either selling a SERVICE or they're selling STUFF – you know, parts or pictures, or other things that can have a part number on them, and maybe even a picture in a catalog. Well, anyhow, read the story, pray about what God wants our business to be about, and we'll share our ideas next time.” The story Gramps gave the boys, is as follows:

Thirteen-year-old Alia quickly thought of all the things she might have said as she followed the animal doctor back to her office. Seeing the worried look on Alia’s face, Doc Neese invited her to sit down. “Now, there is nothing wrong, so don’t look so worried,” she began. “Actually, I wanted to talk to you about the laptop computer you’ve brought in with you. I noticed that in the waiting room you were doing something on your laptop, but it didn’t seem to be a game.”

Alia breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, for my initiation into my neighborhood’s computer club, I have to come up with a good use for a computer that doesn’t have anything to do with entertainment. What I like to do most of all is to make special lists called databases that you can do neat things with.”

Doc saw the serious attitude with which Alia described some of the simple things for which she had made lists, but she didn’t mention anything that would help her pass her club initiation. Alia had hardly finished sharing her problem with the initiation project, when Doctor Neese rose to her feet from behind a desk that was piled high with books and papers. She went over to a large closet, slid open the doors, and said to Alia, “I’ve got a project for your initiation that I think you would enjoy doing.” She pointed to several large stacks of papers, all neatly tied up with strings. Alia looked puzzled.

“Beg your pardon, ma’am, but what does cleaning out this closet have to do with my computer project?” The soft-spoken animal doctor explained to Alia that the stacks of papers were actually records of the medicine, that she had given to animals brought in for treatment over the last two years. The problem was, the little animal clinic had to make every bit of money count. The biggest waste was buying too much of a certain kind of medicine, and then having to throw some of it away because it was too old to be used any longer. “Alia, it would be a big help and money saver if you would create a database list of all the medicines that were actually used,” she said. Doc added, “It will be very important for you to include when, and for which kind of animal patient.”

After getting permission from her parents, and praying about the project, Alia began the following Saturday. Doctor Neese was impressed by her mature approach in that she didn’t even bring her laptop computer. Between patients, Alia told the doctor that good databases require good planning, even before touching the keyboard.

By the next Saturday, the office clerk had gone through every one of the old closet records and had written a number on each one. Alia wouldn’t even have to type in names and addresses. Doc made the project even easier by giving Alia a numbered list of all the medications she had used on her animal patients.

Alia saw how pleased Doctor Neese was, as her chaotic medicine inventory started to take shape. And she also noticed the growing satisfaction within herself as she continued to work on such an important project, which went well beyond the initiation requirements.

Alia thought about the key ingredients she had used.

1. Pray for God’s leading in the project
2. Preparation even before she touched the computer.
3. Permission from her parents.
4. Praising the Lord for His goodness.

(End of Noah's story he sent home with Ben and Sam.)

=12 Sunspots 'n Mannie

Sunspots. It must be tons of sunspots or something. Mannie's odd feelings began about the time she was brushing her hair and getting on her school clothes in a rush. It felt like some sort of gigantic magnet in the clouds that kept grabbing her mind when she wasn't already stretching it to the limits, starting her school day. It was her fault she hadn't told her dad at supper last night that her bike chain had broken, so she'd have to walk over to Jacob's and catch a ride to school with them. “Oh well... life goes on”, the 15 year old thought.

So, book bag over the left shoulder, breakfast bar and juice cup in one hand, a kiss for mom and a 'see ya!' to a preteen brother, and out the door she went. With a bit of a quick step, she munched on the breakfast bar when that sunspot magnet, or whatever, pulled at her thoughts. It was really annoying, not knowing why the pulling. She had a Biology test second period and would need every bit of brainpower, getting the chromosome definitions and other stuff answered right.

Before she got over to Jacob's to hitch a ride to school, she noticed the new house being built. It now had its windows and doors, and was all ready for a roof. What caught Mannie's eye, and brought her to a stop, were the leftovers in the front yard. Over here was a stack of 30 or so boards the builders didn't need to nail up the house walls. And nearby was a pile of leftover chunks of boards that had been sawed off to make things fit.

Her eyes and full attention fixed on the two piles of leftovers, almost asking if they had the answer to these sunspot magnet feelings. No answer. “I gotta scoot. I'll miss my ride and then I'll really be in trouble,” she thought.

The rest of the school day went reasonably well, but then the sunspot thing came up at the supper table. In between bites, Mannie told her mom and dad about those sunspot magnet feelings and the leftover piles thoughts that were really beginning to bug her. The meal was about finished, when her mom tapped the edge of her brother's plate and said, “Eat your broccoli now or I'll put your leftovers in the refrigerator and you can eat them cold tomorrow.” His comments clearly indicated he didn't like either option.

Jack, (that's Mannie's dad) said, “hey, those broccoli leftovers remind me of some famous leftovers in the Bible. I think it'd be a great idea for you two youngins to take a look at them, in your personal Bible time, tonight. See if you can find them in Mark chapter 8.” Mannie thought only a nerdy brother like mine would ask, “Dad! You mean the Bible talks about leftover broccoli?” She thought, “How can God say He loves us, and at the same time give us younger brothers?”

Mannie's cell phone was put to sleep, and her homework done. Her Bible was opened up to the broccoli leftovers – I mean the Mark 8 leftovers. She slowly read the two verses where Jesus quizzed His disciples about the catering of the 5000+ and the 4000+. No, there were no sunspot magnets around while she read about these leftovers of fish and bread.

Wanting so desperately to get to the bottom of all this leftover business, Mannie closed her eyes and tried to envision Jesus quizzing her, along with the disciples. In spite of the other powerful facts, Jesus kept asking His pupils about the leftovers... how much was left? Did anyone go hungry? Was Jesus putting special emphasis on leftovers or some of His gifts to us, we don't give enough attention to? Hmmmmmm.

Then the other thing Mattie noticed, was the two test questions were worded almost the same. Food, fed, and then fragments(leftovers). And the same sequence again. In an exciting way, she thought, “Hey! That's just like a little database! God knows I love to make lists of stuff, in my computer and then sort them different ways and make a neat report about them. Wow! God gave us a computer manual that starts out, 'In the beginning, God'.”

Now if that wasn't enough about leftovers, God had saved the best for last. At breakfast the next morning, Mannie was telling her mom about the Mark 8 leftover database. Her mom put jam on the last slice of toast and said, “When I visit at the nursing home, I see many people who seem to be forgotten by their families, church, and our community. I wonder if there is such a thing as leftover people – ones I've chosen to neglect?”

Dear God, draw my heart to leftover people, young and old, who your Son Jesus gave His life on the Cross to save.

=13 Don't Want Any!

“Anyone blind in one eye can see He don't want any!” Sam continued with, “Ben and I have been asking God for almost a whole month, if He has a girl that can help us with our business, even though it's only imaginary.” While Sam's teen orange-haired friend nodded in agreement, Noah piped up with, “Whoa now! Let's not be too hasty now. Maybe we need to make sure we're lined up with God's schedule, and not our own. Sure as I'm 70 with my silver hair falling out, we need not get pushy when it comes to God doing His work.”

“It really seems to me His scheduling was OK when He created all this world around us, and gave us the sun, moon, and stars for timekeeping and directions. I know it's not the best thing you teens want to hear, but the boat-builder with my name, spent 120 years working without any power tools or much of any help. Worse than that, everyone was laughing and mocking him all the while,” Noah reminded the boys.

It's That 'Doors Thing'

Gramps (that's Noah Pierson) told the teen boys, “Fellas, it's definitely time we talk about the 'Doors Thing.' If you picture yourself in a hallway, that leads to many rooms, or offices. You pretty well know you are welcome into the rooms that have their doors open. On the other hand, closed doors signal us to 'stay out'. It's a pretty simple way of guiding you and into places we can or should go, or not – at least not now, anyhow. Pretty simple concept, right?”

The lesson for the teens continued with, “That guiding by using open doors is exactly how Jesus leads those who love Him, each day. We begin each day wanting to know His will for that day, and even which to do first. Well, we start out by looking for the door He has open to us. One open door is labeled 'Praise Jesus Room', another is 'Scripture Meals Served Here', another open door is 'Dump Your Burdens Here', and 'Your Harvest Assignments Are Here', etc.”

“I bet you two teens can think of some labels on the doors Jesus has closed and latched. I got an idea. While we're waiting on God's direction and provision for stuff we'd like for our business, let's make a list with three columns. In the first column we'll put the labels of doors that God has open for all all those that love Him. In the middle column we'll put door labels that might be open to you, Sam, but not to Ben, or vice versa. In the right column we'll put door labels that will never be open to anyone who loves and wants to serve Jesus.”

Noah said, “Before we have prayer and you two head for home, I want to tell you about a door that has ears... you know, these things on the side of our head. Well, this door is so important to teens, the Bible tells us about it.” The boys looked closely as Noah turned his open Bible to John 10, starting at verse 9. There was the description of THE door, the one and only door that is always open to each and every person, who seeks peace, hope, protection, and provision. Read the description yourself, and then share it often with a friend.