Well, for a while we have been planning on going for a family bike ride- actually just ever since we brought home a bike for Shannon at Christmas. Anyway, Shannon’s cousin Kyle was in town and I was all set to borrow a bike from a friend for him and well, then TJ starting hurling on Friday night. So, Shannon stayed home with TJ on Saturday and then Kyle, myself, Jake, and Tyler went on a bike ride. We started at Mission beach and rode up the coast 2 miles to Pacific Beach where we had breakfast at Konos. Jake and Tyler had pancakes and Kyle and I had breakfast burrito #1 with Kono Potatoes. Good choices all around. Then we rode back to PB together. Come and visit and bring your bike and we’ll re-enact it for you. Hopefully, this time, minus the puking and with the whole family.

Here’s the photo op:

There are some things that only black people can say. Some things that only women can say. Some things that only people in the gay community can say. Etc… They are the constructive things. Because sometimes… you can’t critique from the outside without appearing a bigot– no matter how pure your intentions, they are immediately changed to false, because you are not one of them.

In this regard, I have been troubled ever since last Sunday that much of the hype about the coming superbowl has surrounded the skin color of the coaches. But I don’t share their skin color. I have been equally bothered by all the hype surrounding the skin color and gender of presidential hopefuls. But I am not a woman, or black, or hispanic. I am a white male and so on several subjects, my voice is mute.

Then, today I was reading a blog by my friend Jackson, and he linked to this article at ESPN. It’s a black guy writing about two black coaches. It’s an amazing article on the faith, integrity, and character. But it’s the conclusion I really enjoyed. Here’s how Michael Smith, a senior sports writer for ESPN’s, finishes this article:

Regarding a coaching matchup between friends and former colleagues, these are the kinds of things we should be talking about exclusively leading up to the game, the class way in which Dungy and Smith lead their respective organizations. Not something as trivial as Dungy and Smith’s skin color. It seems as if every day we hear about players getting arrested or being involved in some embarrassing incident — and failing as role models. When Dungy walks away from coaching he likely will devote more of his time to the prison ministry about which he’s so passionate. He and Smith are examples of what a strong man is. Never mind what they look like. They’re the perfect people to represent not just the African-American community but the NFL community.

On Jan. 15, the nation celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We could honor his dream by celebrating Dungy’s and Smith’s achievements not because of the color of their skin, but the content of their character.

There’s a lot of talk about hoping for a day when black coaches in the Super Bowl won’t be a big deal, when we won’t find it necessary to refer to a coach as a “black coach” (or any person by their race, for that matter).

What’s wrong with that day being today? Dungy and Smith have made history, and we happily acknowledge it. As for our practice of categorizing NFL head coaches, let’s make that history, too.

AMEN.

Today, my wife and I taught in MOPS (mothers of pre-schoolers) about parenting. This was a first for me. I have not been in a room of nothing but 60 women… um ever.

Well anyway, it was a good time with them, but the culture shock for me were these 2 things:

1. They start off by sharing “children” stories to laugh at the silly things their kids do and say. No big deal. Except that almost all of these stories today were about feminine products and body parts questioned by their small male children. My favorite was some lady who took her kid bra shopping. When the toddler saw all the bras and mannequins and such, he announced, “Look mommy, it’s like boobieland.” This kid is clearly revealing his cards a little too early in life. As the only one in the room without “boobies”, these stories make you wonder what realm I just entered.

2. They also ask this question to start off every meeting. “Um, does anyone want to announce a pregnancy… doing your part to keep MOPS going?” This was really weird. One lady then actually stood up, they all clapped and gave her a prize and had her pick a blue or pink bootee out of a bin over her head to predict it’s gender. I think this was nice and sweet, just something I’ve never experienced. Can you imagine if I stood on stage in my high school group and asked, “Hey, I was just wondering as we kick off our next dating series, anybody want to announce they’re pregnant? If so, we have a prize for you.” I guess context really does matter.

I’m blessed to have 3 boys. My poor wife must be feeling my pain everyday. The momentary baptism into girlland was enough to make me thank Jesus for my boys.