Here is something in the lighter vein.
No two people — especially a pastor and a member of the laity — could possibly argue as energetically as we do. We truly give it our full commitment! And yet, quite remarkably, it never takes even twenty-four hours before we are back to speaking as if nothing had ever happened.
Over time, many have tried to analyse this "unique partnership" and, quite creatively, assign motives to it.
It reminds me of that old kindergarten story of the blind men describing an elephant — each convinced that he alone had understood the whole truth!
In our case, interpretations have been equally imaginative. Some believe it is a relationship of mutual benefit. Others see shades of Tom and Jerry. A few have even elevated it to a father-son equation. Everyone is, of course, entitled to their theories — and I have no quarrel with any of them.
If you were to ask me honestly, I would say it is simply too complex to be neatly defined. What is certain is that we respect each other's strengths — and vigorously point out each other's weaknesses!
From my side, I occasionally feel tempted to guide him like a father figure (purely theoretical, of course — he is not easily "guided"!).
In fact, just today my daughter asked, "Dad, I thought he was trouble for you?"
My answer was simple: "I am fully entitled to complain!"