Our Olive Shoot

 Good Son-day!

First Match





Our Olive Shoot

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Psalm 128:3


An olive tree trunk with an olive shoot

Quick context for scripture: Judges 9:9 says that oil was used to honor God and men. The olive tree is cherished and loved for what it gives the nation of Israel. The olive shoots were the young branch-to-be's growing off the main branches.  Our little olive plants should be cherished and loved for what they can do for the kingdom of God.

Last Wednesday, I had to attend a farewell function for my HR Business Partner at the Pinstripe restaurant in Edina.  As one might expect, the gathering was full of labor relation and HR staffers.  One of my direct reports also attended the meeting and greeted as I entered Pinstripe.

My employee said you need to meet a several HR and LR staffers never met before.  I asked for “networking purposes?”.  She said kind of, but importantly they’re talking about the other “Bobby and you need to hear what they’re saying”.  If you don’t know, both BJ and I work for Hennepin County.

I introduce myself to these staffers and one of BJ’s managers as “Bobby Jackson”.  They immediately, respond are you related to BJ.  I say yes.  They gushed about how BJ is one of the best employees in their area.  He knows how to deal with residents and employees.  He is a mentor, communicator, and trainer.  And get this, everyday he sends an inspirational message to his colleagues, which is well received.

As I walked away from staffers, I was thankful that God was creating a pathway of grace and favor for my son.  As a parent you always find great joy in your offspring’s development. You try to model what they need to survive in this world. Deuteronomy 11:19, You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise.

Today, I am memorializing how others see him and following Solomon’s words in Proverbs 23:24, Parents rejoice when your child turns out well.  Junior is a good man.  He still needs to call his Mama at least once every two weeks and go with dad to a U of MN wrestling (something we both enjoy).  Yep, we’re both still his nagging “Rents”.  But we love the rascal.

Song of the Week

“The Goodness”, 2022, TobyMac. Medium tempo, colorful.  Lyrics in the song.


https://youtu.be/-L5xi8DbQ5c

 

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