Lent 2026 Day 21 – Long Talks
I enjoy having long talks with loved ones. It's a wonderful way for us to connect, share experiences and perspectives, and to “think out loud” – to talk through and crystallize thoughts that have been bouncing around in our brains but haven't quite fully formed yet.
Lately I've been having long talks with my son. These are usually about technology and music, but more recently, they are also about faith.
One night last week we stayed up way too late talking and somehow the subject turned to missionary service, as he is getting ready to serve as a missionary for our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). As young as age 18, young men and women can apply to serve as missionaries. For young men it is expected that they do so, if able. For young women it is considered optional.
Things have changed quite a bit in the more than 23 years years since I returned from two-year missionary service in Brazil. But I shared with him some of my experiences and perspectives that I feel are timeless.
I told him that first and foremost, missionary work is not about trying to convince people to join our church. It's about helping people to become converted to Jesus Christ. And we do that by learning to see people as God sees them and love them as He loves them. We meet them where they are, teach them the things that Christ taught, show them His love through serving and ministering to them, and help them to draw closer to Him in whatever way they can.
I will miss these talks when he finally leaves the nest.
#100DaysToOffload (No. 150) #faith #Lent #Christianity