Today I did one of the most fun pastoral tasks I've ever been blessed to do. To understand why it was so amazing, I need to give some background.

Central Baptist, where I serve as pastor, is just a few blocks from Riverview Estates, the retirement home attached to my denomination. It's a wonderful place, and remains to be the only retirement community I leave feeling encouraged instead of depressed. Riverview is a home for folks, and it makes all the difference.

As Central is so close to Riverview, we have a good relationship with it, and usually have several residents worshipping with us at any given time. These people have been some of the true gifts given to my life, they have inspired me to live with more joy and humility. One of the more recent participants in the Central-Riverview relationship is a little lady named Peg.

Peg is very much like a warm sunny day. She loves to smile, giggle, and give others a reason to be joyful. She has dedicated her life to Jesus, and is a blessed example of the power of a deep and humble faith. She loves to read, has a deep appreciation for Scripture, and is not adverse to a bit of practical joking.

When she began joining Central for worship one of the things she loved best is how we use our projection screen. She has problems seeing small print, and the projected lyrics are much easier for her to see. She also finds it freeing to be able to look up as she praises God. She has also been drawn by how Central is made up of a bunch of goof-balls who have no qualms about pointing out our own quirks, and have grown to make room for one another's preferences.

In addition to all of the above, Peg in love with my iPad as she saw me using it for Scripture at Central or Riverview's chapel. Many months back she came up to me and said, “We need to talk.” So I sat down next to Peg as she grinned and said, “I am saving up for an iPad, and I want to know what to get, will you help me?” So help I did. After one of our fellowship meals I sat down with Peg and had her play with both my Nexus 7 and my iPad. After playing she reiterated she really wanted an iPad, and wanted to know how much they cost. My answer was the first time I'd ever seen her a bit discouraged – $499 was well out of her price range, and she really wanted the larger screen because the buttons were easier to tap. So I sent her to a mutual friend, and eBay expert, to see about getting Peg a used iPad. He took to the idea so fast I couldn't believe it, and even helped some with the cost of the device. Our deacons kicked in some money to purchase a stylus and load her preferred Bibles in OliveTree's Bible app on to the device. We also left a few dollars credit in iTunes so she can have some fun (I'm thinking Angry Birds).

Today, I was handed Peg's used iPad, set up an account (with her permission, of course) and provisioned the device for her use. When I was done I got to bring it to Peg's room and deliver it – and that was the most fun I've ever had as a pastor. The joy she displayed as she practiced tapping, swiping, selecting text, and navigating the device was marvelous. She was in awe that the device she was holding really was hers, and was giddy with how it would her help do things which were becoming more difficult in print.

The most wonderful display of her gratitude came as we walked out of Riverview. Peg turned to me and said, “I promise I'll be a good student.”

Peg is 88 years old. How is that for learning new tricks?