waywardly Wayward

My office shoes were long overdue for replacement. I returned from the shoe store with a couple pair. One was my usual style, a basic cap toe oxford. The other was a bicycle toe oxford, a style I’ve seen around the office but had never considered for myself until now.

My wife wanted to see my purchases. I removed the cap toes and showed them to her.

“They look like your old pair.”

“Yep.” I took the bicycle toes out.

“Oooh, you’re stepping out!”

For about two years now I have served my church’s men’s ministry as a table group leader in our larger men’s classes. I feel comfortable serving there, in a usual day at the office wearing my usual cap toe oxfords kind of comfortable. I know what to expect. I have much in common with all those mostly middle age, mostly married, mostly with children men.

Last May, the high school student ministry asked the men’s class for volunteers to serve by leading a group of their young men. My ears perked up. Over the next few days, I prayed about it. I talked to a couple men I know to be rock-solid in the faith. The only hesitation I found were glimpses of self-doubt. I am not entirely sure what to expect. What would I have in common with teen age, hopefully unmarried, hopefully childless young men?

Tonight, is my first night as a leader of a group of young men, stepping out in my bicycle toe oxfords. I think we’ll be fine.