He is only eighteen.
Yet as he tells me about the events of his last twelve hours, I am struck by his maturity. It is no easy stuff, but he sits here composed, ready to take on whatever is ahead, doing anything to help.
"How are you?" I ask.
He crosses his leg and leans back in his chair, inhaling slowly. "Oh, I'm fine. My faith is strong enough that I can take pretty much anything." He blushes a little as he smiles and says again, "I'm fine."
I realize he could be putting up a brave front, but I am still so proud of him, proud of his tactful handling of the situation, proud that he cares and does what is best, proud that he does not scare easily and run away, proud of his unwavering devotion. I pray my own sons display the same character at his age.
Bravo, my friend. You may only be eighteen, but without a doubt, you are a man.
And I am thankful for the reminder from an unexpected source that action is always preceded by a choice to do the right thing. My heart may not be in it and I may not be sure I can do it, but deciding to do it anyway is the first step. Saying the right things comes before doing the right things. Intention counts because it determines behavior.
Happy Thursday, my friends! Be sure to visit Sting My Heart for more Thankful Thursday posts.