Dad's going to be a magician

Reflection on 25 years of being a "mish-kid"

Dad's going to be a magician
Well, I think that was what he said
Mind you, I was only four at the time
So words may have got slightly confused in my head

He's going to stop being a teacher
And mum will help drive this new quest
They clearly have talents for quite a few things
But dad's magic tricks are not the best


There was something about this guy Peter
Who Jesus called out of his boat
Mum and dad read about it around the same time
And decided that they should take note

So they taught us about this man called Abraham
Who walked with no clue as to where he would go
They said we should trust God knew what he was doing
If we say he knows best, then why would we say no?


So we got in a boat after packing a lorry
And arrived in a big house with fields all around
Our bedroom was massive, so we had fun racing our beds
Across the still uncarpetted ground

The church that we went to looked different to this,
And they all spoke in some weird tongue
But I know when they prayed God could still understand
Maybe he also moved abroad when he was young


Dad wrote more songs and mum kept the show running
We learnt a new language, made friends, and we thrived
The school days were long but the teachers were kind
And they looked out for us from the day we arrived.

When we all went on tour we met all sorts of people
Who opened their homes in the towns where we stayed
We met dancers who hugged us the first time they met us
And put lipstick on while they prayed


Because of this we grew up reciting scripture,
Well we may possibly have been taking the mick
Out of that lovely but strong southern accent
And the ever so noticeable lisp

- Or, Barabas était un bandit -

That was silly, but I’m really grateful
For those hours we spent hearing what Jesus said
It's amazing how useful that turned out to be
When those words just pop into your head


Through the highs and lows of family holidays
Craponne and Mahoina combined
The book that got dad in complete fits of giggles
And mum's yawning fits remain stuck in my mind

It's true, things have not always been easy
There've been challenges and fights to choose
But the training in thinking through things for ourselves
Is something we will forever use


So as friends and family we're here today
To celebrate with the One who planned it all
We're gathered round two faithful servants
Who decided to follow His call

And where does that decision leave us
25 years down the line?
Well, I’m yet to see a fancy magic trick
But I'd say we've all turned out just fine!