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| Michael, grade 9 and Samuel, grade 11. |
This morning for family Bible, we watched a Ted Talk on the power of perseverance. David followed it up with the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians 3:
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Most of the time, I find myself looking
into the rear-view mirror of life considering what we could have done better with our boys. But as I looked into my boys' faces this morning, I thought about their own personal determination.
Zachary has chosen a non-traditional path toward his undergrad by choosing to take classes online so that he can keep his job working at a local law firm--this month marked him working there two years. In addition, he works several hours at Chick-Fil-A. One night a week, he meets and studies for the LSAT that he will take next June. At least one Saturday a month he helps his church deliver furniture to the needy. And, on Sunday mornings, he leaves the house by 7AM to serve at his local church by playing the guitar in two services. A few months ago he was accepted into the University of Georgia and had a roommate lined up. But, he decided to stay the course, keep his job for the local attorney and continue his path to a debt-free undergraduate degree keeping his eyes focused not on a "college experience," but a Juris Doctor degree to come.
Grit.
Samuel is a phenomenal student. That boy knows how to study. His GPA is over 4.0, and he spends many hours a week practicing the piano. But, two weeks this summer, and three to four evenings a week, you will find him in the hot Georgia sun, marching with the ELCA Mighty Charger Marching Band. It is so HOT, one could make a case that anyone who is in a marching band has some level of commitment and perseverance but this boy has to wear a brace to help support the kyphosis in his spine and special inserts in his shoes because his feet are so flat. He rarely complains, although I can see pain and exhaustion in his eyes.
GRIT.
Seth goes to a university-model school, which means he goes to school two days a week and is home three. Even last year, while in the seventh grade, Seth would independently keep track of his assignments and test schedule and be ready for his classes. He ended the year with all A's and a certificate for the best attitude. He participates in the spelling bee, the geography bowl, and the quiz team. Last year because of the surgeries on his feet, he was in a wheelchair for about 12 weeks of the school year.
GRIT.
Their lives have barely begun, but I'm happy with the trajectory I see. What pleases me more than words can tell, is that each of them desire a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So, I say: keep gritty boys! you'll fall and fail, but remember fear is today's lies about tomorrow's promise. Get up and get moving. Press on toward that high calling of Christ in your lives and run away from anything that will jeopardize God's purpose in you. There is no higher calling than being what you are made to be under the creative grace of God and his purpose in you.
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| David with Michael, our Chinese student, who lives with us this year. |
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