I know part of my job as a parent is leading and teaching my children. I hope I do a fair job at that, but I’m often reminded they teach me a lot as well.
The biggest lesson my three boys are teaching me these days is “don’t take life so seriously.” They are literally teaching me how to be a kid again. When I’m around them…
I laugh more
I worry less
I ask more questions
I try new things
I allow my imagination to run wild
Yesterday was a long day. A very long day. I pulled into the driveway emotionally drained but was met by my boys who were ready to play with daddy. I don’t care how difficult a day I’ve had when I come home to their smiles, laughs, and care free attitudes it brings everything else to a screeching halt.
Yesterday they had found a worm, and well, sometimes it just takes a worm to turn around your day.
Worm from Pete Wilson on Vimeo.
That was awesome! My wife would totally freak if I told my son to do that!
I am constantly learning how to be a man from watching my 5 year old be a boy.
.-= Michael´s last blog ..Don’t Ever Lie About Putting Mothballs Out To Deter Snakes =-.
PETA….in 3..2..1
They protect worms too.
.-= pete wilson´s last blog ..The Worm That Changed My Day =-.
PETE! That is just too wrong! LOL. I love how Gage negotiates everything already! Just show this to his future wife. . . I’m sure she’ll be glad to know he had a worm in his mouth!
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..31 Day Challenge =-.
thx for the laugh!
Pete,
I just want to tell you that your example as a father really impacts me. I don’t even know you but as a young pastor in PA with two young girls, I find myself thinking of the things you share about your relationship with your boys at the weirdest times. I can honestly say that some of those moments have literally kept me from responding in a regrettable way. Your graceful approach with them and desire to have fun with them has really served to be a great example to me and God is using it. Please keep sharing and thanks!
Rusty
I agree with Rusty. I feel like you have helped me with my kids. Thanks Pete!
.-= Rodney´s last blog ..Wednesday 9-2-09 Day Nine =-.
You guys are too kind. I’ve been blessed to have other pastors (and fathers in general) who have constantly reminded me of the importance of striving as hard to be a good father as I do a good pastor.
I met with a mentor of mine just this week and he begged, “Pete, just don’t lose focus with your family. Please don’t let this area of your life slip.”
Let’s partner together to make sure we continue to work hard in this area guys!!
.-= pete wilson´s last blog ..The Worm That Changed My Day =-.
Pete, it’s great to hear you saying this and to see you’ve got some great men in your life to speak truthfully and honestly about keeping your family first, over everything else! So many pastors lose sight of this and their families wind up in ruin. I was blessed to have a dad (who was also a pastor) that did not lose sight of his family, despite some overwhelming ministry situation at time and from his focus it’s allowed me to help my pastor along these same lines today. Some day your sons will come back and thank you for this and for maintaining your focus in the right priority.
.-= Nathan´s last blog ..Is God Bipolar? Part 2 =-.
I’ve been partnering with you already!
I’m so glad God blessed you and Brandi with 3 boys and not my husband and me. I don’t think I could stomach worm eating.
If there’s ever a “Fear Factor: Kid Edition” I’ll be sure to watch for your boys. 
Thanks for reminding me being a parent is the most important job I have.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Kids Say the Funniest Things – Part 2 =-.
Eat the worm! Eat the worm!
.-= Sharkbait´s last blog ..Be afraid. Be very afraid. =-.
Oh innocence. How precious. Thanks for sharing.
That was great! My daughter ate a worm (nothing that large) at a Young LIfe event…she’s her father’s child. She was always the YL Leaders go to girl when they needed a ‘volunteer’ and couldn’t get one. I still cannot think about it without getting the shivers.
.-= joyce´s last blog ..Listen to your mother =-.
I’m just hoping that’s the only worm he eats in his life. College can be scary.
.-= Jason´s last blog ..Would you tell Tammy to suck it up? =-.
Nothing brings me more joy than hearing my 3 year old boy laugh because he shot daddy and daddy fell to the ground with tongue hanging out!
Or the fact that he loves to jump on his bed to show daddy how high he can get. There’s no real point but it brings me so much joy!
Thank God for parenthood!
Nothing like it is there Rob?
.-= pete wilson´s last blog ..The Worm That Changed My Day =-.
You now need to get the movie “How to eat fried Worms” – it would so cool for them to watch it and laugh. (it is a nickelodeon movie from a couple years back)
.-= Jim F.´s last blog ..Frivolous Friday =-.
I read the book as a pre-teen. I didn’t know they made a movie out of it.
That was awesome! You could see in their eyes the fact that they love their dad. How do you balance being a father and a pastor? Does one win out more than the other?
.-= Mason Stanley´s last blog ..The Purposeful Burden =-.
This would probably require a series of post Mason, but I’m embarrassed to admit how often I ALLOW ministry to get in the way of being a father and husband.
Even if I stick to my time guidelines I can find myself being home but not “really” being home.
I’m working on being fully present.
.-= pete wilson´s last blog ..The Worm That Changed My Day =-.
Thank you for being transparent.
Why do you think we allow ourselves to do this? I’m a student minister in Ft Worth and I know I have to fight sometimes to focus on my wife instead of the ministry.
BTW I would love to see a short post series on this topic or just hear how you’re practicing being fully present with your family.
.-= Mason Stanley´s last blog ..The Purposeful Burden =-.
So I couldn’t tell…was any worm eaten?
.-= Lindsey Nobles´s last blog ..I Am… =-.
No, he did take a bite out of the worm but promptly spit it out. We’re going to have to work up to actually digesting it.
We have to love the worms in life. Thank you for sharing the experience with us.
Childlike vision is a wonderful thing!
.-= Dusty Rayburn´s last blog ..Overcoming the World =-.
LOL Did he get a $1? He so deserved it.
I’m with Julie. Did he get the $1? He earned it. Next time dare Jett to eat it for $5. See what goes down….
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..In Honor Of St Joseph =-.
Wow! I I have girls and I think they may have done the same thing at that age..Just to cute!
Pete, you are great! You & Brandi seem to be raising 3 wonderful boys! Not that I am not surprised, the two of you (and the rest of the Vision team) effected an entire generation in Butler County for the better, me included!
And I think you got an Aaron on your hands, all that negotiating… only Aaron would have been trying to drive your price up
Pete, As a PK your doing a great job with your boys, keep the positive parenting and they won’t wander when they get okder I glad it was a nightcrawler, I once found a wrom but it was at the bottom of a bottle won’t any anymore about that. Keep up the good work. God Bless.
Your sons are brave!
.-= Becky´s last blog ..Picture of the week =-.
That was awesome, Pete. My youngest is autistic and he constantly teaches me to appreciate all the small but amazing things in life … like how the grass feels when you lie on it (we have to stop and lie down on it everyday on our way to the car). It was such a nuisance when it started, but now I LOVE it. It gives me a chance to look up and remember who MY Dad is
Love it Suzi!
.-= pete wilson´s last blog ..The Worm That Changed My Day =-.
@Suzi….that’s amazing. You made me cry. Children see/feel so much better than we do. My kids show me that all the time. Nothing beats it.
That reminds me of the MacManus story of his son climbing out on their room and asking if he could jump. He and his wife were in the front yard working and he said, “go for it buddy” His wife freaked out, but Erwin said that he wanted his son to not be afraid and that he was fully behind him in what he did.
I was thinking “man it would be cool if he just ate it” when I first saw the worm and even before you told him to eat it. That was awesome.
Love the “I did too” from Gage! Boys crack me up!
.-= Alison´s last blog ..Vapor =-.
Love that you are trying to stay grounded in the midst of all that is going on in your world. Love reading that you have surrounded yourself with people who encourage you and hold you accountable to that. I’ve seen too many PK’s and PW’s left behind.
Cracking up at Jett, who is encouraging his brothers like crazy but did not offer to do it himself! Smart kid!
.-= MCA Designs´s last blog ..feb20_2010 =-.
Ahhhh…I wish you could see me cringing right now!! I can’t believe he did that. It sounded like you were trying to get him to eat broccoli…just one bite? It makes me feel a tad better he didn’t swallow it but still. My girls literally won’t go within 2 feet of a worm!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Cooking with The Pioneer Woman: Weekly Update =-.
HAHAHAHA…I’m sitting here in my office cracking up. That is sooooo funny. I always look forward to coming home to my family…it is my refuge where I can let my hair down and be loved and accepted with all my “warts.”
Your worm made my day too!! Thanks.
.-= Randy Kinnick´s last blog ..Christ in All Things =-.
That was awesome! I find myself getting wrapped up in grown up things I think are important, then one of my kids will say or do something so completely silly it brings me back to reality. They remind me life is full of wonder and joy.
.-= katdish´s last blog ..Dear Person I just Unfollowed on Twitter: =-.
That was awesome pete. That reminded me of the time me and my dad told cooper who was maybe 9 at the time to eat a red hot chili pepper and we’d each give him 10 bucks. One bite, 20 dollars, and a whole lot of tears and laughter later… we had an amazing memory. haha Thanks for that, we do need to reminded to just be a kid. Its saying something if a 19 year old has to be reminded of that. haha
.-= Tanner Pemelton´s last blog ..And The Curtain Closes… =-.
I can so see you and your dad doing that Tanner!
.-= pete wilson´s last blog ..The Worm That Changed My Day =-.
my boys ate worms last summer and skinned a mole this winter … boys will be boys and I think God was SO cool to create them to teach me!
.-= Meredith – ringleader of Circus MaGuirk´s last blog ..less than 24 hours til departure =-.
Skinned a mole??? Wow!
.-= pete wilson´s last blog ..The Worm That Changed My Day =-.
LOL! That was heartwarming and a little scary! Thanks for sharing! Love it!
.-= Kathy Schwanke´s last blog ..Ch ch ch cha changes… =-.
Dude, he bit the worm. GIVE THAT KID A DOLLAR!!!
.-= gitz´s last blog ..Flashback Friday: YOU are the Lemonade =-.
Pete, I just love the worm video – it is so precious.
And reading your comments about your mentor’s advice to not shortchange the family aspect of your life reminded me of a pastor friend of mine (well, actually he’s out of the the ministry now, but that’s another story) anyway he was a P.K. and his dad was just never, ever there for him – no playing catch – nothing.
My friend determined to do his life and ministry differently and really pay attention to enjoying his kids while they were young and growing up. I know he’s grateful for having not carried on the broken baton handed him by his dad.
My face cringed through the whole clip…. did he actually bite it?
Never mind. Saw a comment above say he did. Boys are gutsy.
.-= Derek´s last blog ..Who Then Will Be Saved? =-.
This week my children caught an ant, placed in a bug jar (magnifying cup for bugs) and set it on the counter in the kitchen. A little while later I heard a sucking sound…my 2 and a half year old son had a straw and was trying to “catch” the ant.
By the time I came to the rescue…the bug jar was EMPTY. {yummy!}
I’m not showing him this video…
.-= jezamama´s last blog ..Curiosity Killed the Cat… =-.
Thanks for sharing all you do about your boys. It makes me feel younger, as I really laugh and enjoy the moments.
Great video. My son is 19 now, and he is a fine young man, but watching your boys at that age fired up a bunch of good memories!
I say let the lil kiddo get the dollar for taking a bite!!! I love how he negotiated and all. Your child is a brave one indeed!
.-= Malory H´s last blog ..Lisa Leonard Give-Away =-.
That was adorable! Nothing turns my day around more than the infectious laughter, sweet hugs, and side-splitting humor of my stepson. Truly a gift!
.-= Chrystie´s last blog ..It may be permissible, but… =-.
Awesome! I have a little girl. I’ll teach her to fish with worms, but not sure about eating it. I’ll reserve that for one I have a boy.
.-= Daniel Mosley´s last blog ..Someone’s In My House! =-.
I work with adolescent boys, and while they have a myriad of psychological problems, to their core they are just boys who wanna build forts in the winter and play football in the summer, and despite the fact that I’m only twenty four, part of me has loved just… playing. Being a little kid again helps me let them be kids, because so many of them weren’t allowed to, for one reason or another.
.-= Becca´s last blog ..A Farewell. =-.
Ok, dad…you KNOW you can’t say I’ll give you money for them to do something BECAUSE THEY WILL DO IT EVERY TIME!!!!
.-= Fran´s last blog ..Just a few pix to let you see heaven =-.
love that! that made my morning!
.-= Kimberly Anne´s last blog ..hiding charles stanley =-.
I’m on a writer’s weekend with my co-author and good friend right now, out of state. And I am missing my boys in an unusual way. I got all choked up watching this. Man. Thanks, Pete. ch:
.-= Christopher Hopper´s last blog ..3 Tips for Getting Churches to Work Together =-.
I am so going to buy him a choc. covered worm
And when he eats it you will owe him a $1 
.-= jessica´s last blog ..Community Group =-.
Dude.. I laughed so hard when I saw this video. I was the youngest of three boys and I could see my older brothers daring me to eat the worm and I would. This is a little embarrassing but my brothers tricked me into drinking urine.. when I was three years old. Gotta love older brothers.. HA.. Just saw them yesterday and we love to talk about all the crazy stuff we did as kids. I miss them and love them and wouldn’t trade them for anything.
SO CUTE. I can’t wait to have little kiddos of my own–hopefully before too long!