Each week we have training for all the people who work with our kids.  It gives us a chance to get ready for the week, to pray for each other and to train in some area of children's ministry.  This past week we prepared and then practiced a song we will be singing with the kids the next few weeks.  After we were all tired out I had them sit down and told this story. (I’m an animated story teller so you will not get the full effect but I hope you get the purpose behind it)

Once upon a time a long long time ago there was a Duke who loved to be praised.  He tried his hand at many things but he never did anything halfway.  He always got the best stuff to learn and had the best teachers.  He was never satisfied with a skill until he was the best. 

After watching an archery tournament he decided that he would try his hand at it.  He hired the best teachers from all over the world and bought the most expensive hand made bow he could find.  He practiced day and night trying to achieve his goal.  He wanted to shoot the arrow into the bull’s-eye every time. 

After many many hours of practice he would hit the bull’s-eye sometimes but not every time.  He would pull the bow back and release and sometimes it would hit but sometimes it would miss.  Sometimes by a lot and sometimes by just a bit.  He was frustrated that he just couldn't seem to achieve his goal.  He tried many things but nothing seemed to work.

One day he decided to travel to see another trainer.  He hoped that this one would have the answer for him.  He got into his carriage and started on the long journey to find this archer that lived deep in the woods. 

The people who went with him began to get hungry and as they approached a small cottage they decided they would stop and ask for food and lodging for the evening.  As they got closer the Duke caught sight of a barn outside the house.  He stared and stared.  On the side of the barn were three targets and right in the center of the three targets was one arrow.  He was amazed at the skill this must have taken and was excited to meet the great archer who shot those arrows.

They all went inside and had a nice meal with the family.  After the meal was over the Duke could not bare it anymore.  He stood up and asked "Who was the great archer who shot those arrows into the barn?” 

The family responded a bit timidly but pushed forward a young boy of maybe 9years old.  The Duke was shocked but humbled himself to ask if the boy would show him how it was done.  The boy agreed and they went outside.

They both stood there in front of the barn and the boy said "Now you do what I do".  The boy pulled the bow back, closed his eyes and released the arrow.   The arrow flew through the air and struck the barn with a surprising force. 

Suddenly the boy dropped the bow and ran toward the barn.  He stopped at the corner and picked up a bucket of paint.  He approached the place where the arrow hit and painted his target around the arrow...

That was the story I told them.  After that I talked to them for a bit about how we expect something to happen with the kids we work with.  We have goals and ambitions for what we want to teach them that day.  This story helps to remind us that it’s more important to appreciate what you actually hit.  Don’t be upset when things don’t go as expected.  The teachable moments are the places where the arrow actually hits not where you wanted to hit.  These are the things that are really important.  Make sure that when you experience the teachable moment that you redefine the target/goal.