Sous Chef Grant

I picked up an extra class on Fridays last semester. 3:30 pm-4:30 pm and normally I'd be done with class at 12:30. I didn't get credit for it. So what kind of class would possess a busy college student to dedicate an hour every week? A class of faith and a class with Grant. Grant is a campus minister at the church at Purdue and he's quite the guy. I got to spend an hour or so with him every Friday last year and it gave me an awesome glimpse of a man of faith.

Impressions Grant has made on me:

1) The first impression Grant made on me is he has a gift to gab. He has a way of bringing up conversations that he has clearly thought through, but the ideas itself feel like they originated in your discussion. Sounds confusing I know so here is my example. Somehow, when I first met Grant on Ignite leaders retreat, we started discussing letters. What I later realized is I was Grant's latest target for explaining his importance of letter writing as a form of communication compared to modern ways. In retrospect, it is clear Grant has thought through this a lot. Although if I had a guess, Grant's form of think a lot is like pushing a snowball down a hill and watching it grow while most people push it and pack it on a flat surface. Same result, Grant's just has an energy and efficiency of contemplating these types of arguments. I digress, Grant wrote letters to get the attention of his now-wife. I was humbled I couldn't come up with a question or perspective to throw him off track. What I learned from this impression was to share what I believe. Grant never fails to share what he believes.

2) Grant wants people to count from 0 up. He thinks we too often see our endeavors as starting at 100 meaning they can only go downhill. I think the shift in mindset is a great way to celebrate small joys and see setbacks as opportunities.

3) Grant makes bold claims. There are times Jack and I would discuss and decide we disagree with him afterward. Yet, there are sometimes he has completely changed my view. When the article released about Diabetes Will's Way in the Exponent, Grant came into our Evangelization class with his energy and excitement. He basically singled me out among 5 to ask specifically about me that day. What he ended up telling me was awesome. He asked me who do I want to hear this news, who should hear the news, something along those lines. My unsatisfactory answer led him to tell me that my charity is my Good News. It is my spreading of Christianity in a sense. Everyone needs to hear it because everyone could be affected by or want to donate to such a good cause. In the same way, we should see our faith as Good News for all because people will be saved and contribute to our faith in beautiful ways. Ever since that day I have wanted to have an increasing role in the charity's functions.

4) Grant learns from his kids. He is a strong man of faith, but it is clear he learns more about the Gospel through his kids. Often he'd go on what I like to call G-rants to explain a part of our faith. I think it shows his humility in the sense that the Gospel was also explained to him that way. Even more so, he takes his daily life and connects it to Christ. These are all things I try to take into my daily interactions with people.

Grant

Grant, I continue to learn and grow from my interactions with you. I thank you for all your lessons and witnesses. I truly hope to raise a family in faith the way you are doing someday. I'm saying an extra prayer for this Monday!