I got some very positive feedback on the new blog today. Most of it was centered around the entire concept of sharing my journey–the path that I’m on with God as my lead. And it got me thinking…

It got me thinking about the people who have been my earthly guides over the past 30+ years. We all have them. Those friends and family members who have shaped you into the person you are today. I suspect that many of them have no real idea just how much impact they’ve had. They are the Sages that have provided wisdom, guidance, and direction when we’ve needed it the most (even if we didn’t think we needed it). Hopefully we still have a Sage or two hanging around our lives somewhere.

So, who were (and are) the Sages in my life? Who are the men and women that have guided me along this journey? When making a list like this there is always the danger of leaving someone out. I admit up front this list is not exhaustive–it’s the super stars, the cream of the crop. Here they are:

1. Ross & Charlotte Baumgartner: My Grandparents. They provided spiritual constancy and leadership when nobody else did. They always asked if I would attend church with them and always went the extra mile or 50 to make sure I stayed connected to God. And they have shown me over and over again the meaning of faithfulness.
2. Dan & Denise Menefee: Anita and my youth pastors and best friends in the early stages of our marriage. Dan and Denise taught us how to make the faith of our “ancestors” our faith. They also showed us that it’s OK to have fun at the same time you are living for God.
3. Matt & Pam Wigdahl: My Jr. and Sr. High School Teachers and close friends. They showed me to look at the world with critical eyes. They taught me that work should be fun (serious, but fun). Matt especially introduced me to a world I would never have otherwise known existed…a world of art and literature that has continued to “haunt” me ever since.

Those are my top three. I’ve been shaped by many more people…friends and family alike. Interesting to think back on those “shaping events” too. Gives me a new appreciation for the working of God’s hand in it all. He knew the people and events that would mold me best. He had a plan from the very beginning and He made sure I got what I needed–exactly when I needed it, even if it hurt.

So how about you? Who are the Sages in your life…who has shaped you into the man or woman you are today?

This entry was posted on Friday, June 8th, 2007 at 9:07 pm and is filed under Discipleship, Leadership, Spiritual Musings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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