The Pastoral Grind

(Originally written for The Baldwin Bulletin: Pastor's Column August 16, 2023) Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes…Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. ( Proverbs 26:4-5, 11-12) “Back to school, back to school, to prove to dad that I’m not a fool...” Any time I hear the words reminding us of what happens around this time of year for many children, I can’t help but also hear those words from the ’90s Adam Sandler film, “Billy Madison.” Whether you’ve seen it or not, I’m not giving my personal support or recommendation to the movie, but those sing-song words as Billy waits for the school bus are locked in my memory. Already this month, teachers have been preparing their classrooms and teaching curriculum as well as going through development. Some student