PK is not the Acronym for Perfect Kid

Hello one and all!!

I'm sure you noticed the title of my blog is called Always a PK.  Let me explain what that means.  Even though I'm nearing the age of 50, I will always be a PK.  That title will remain with me until I leave this earth.  The acronym PK stands for pastor's kid, not perfect kid.   There are many of us out there young and old. It's a title that either makes people cringe, roll their eyes or open their arms to you.  It's a common misnomer that the children of pastors are the worst kind.  I can't argue the fact that there are some bad PK's out there some of which I know personally.  Music artist Dusty Springfield (for you younger ones just Google her name and her bio will come up) recorded a song way back in 1968 called Son of a Preacher Man.  Go figure that song was released the year I was born but I digress.  Here are a few of the lyrics:

Billy Ray was a preacher's son
And when his daddy would visit he'd come along
When they gathered around and started talkin'
That's when Billy would take me walkin'
Out through the back yard we'd go walkin'
Then he'd look into my eyes
Lord knows, to my surprise

The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, ooh, yes he was

Bein' good isn't always easy
No matter how hard I try
When he started sweet-talkin' to me
He'd come'n tell me "Everything is all right"
He'd kiss and tell me "Everything is all right"
Can I get away again tonight?

Take those lyrics any way you want but as the song goes on Billy Ray, in my opinion, wasn't exactly reading a passage from the Bible.  Maybe he was quoting the Song of Solomon.

So what's the point of me bringing up old lyrics and the subject of this blog post.  I've had time to reflect these last few weeks as we went on vacation to Yellowstone National Park and I also attended my 30th high school reunion.  When my father decided to become a man of the cloth in 1978 my siblings and I immediately became PK's.  It was not our choice but at that age back then you only had an opinion when it was given to you.  It was from that point on the scrutiny began and believe it or not continues to this day.  Is it fair to expect perfection from kids who have parents who serve in the ministry?  I don't think so.  I'm sure people think since we kids grew up with a man who exudes holiness his home is without blemish.  That is far from the truth.  The man who preaches and teaches behind the pulpit on a weekly basis is just as human as everyone else.  I'll have more stories about growing up in future blogs as there is much to tell.

Don't misunderstand me.  Growing up in a pastor's home had many highlights but the point is it really is no different than any other home.  The only difference is the job title.  Pastors and ministers do the best they can to raise their kids in the best environment possible but the world outside of that home is scary and we're all exposed to it.  Most PK's who went down a different path were typically influenced by friends from school or even other kids at church who simply went just because their parents made them.  Proverbs 22:6 says this:  Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it. (ASV) That simply means the core values that are placed in a child's mind when they are young will never be forgotten.

So the next time you see a PK doing hurdles over the church pew or doing cartwheels in the foyer, always remember, PK doesn't mean perfect kid.

God bless all,

D.Z.
Jeremiah 29:11