I was at lunch yesterday with two friends, and witnessed something that was very unusual for our day. A mother and her three children came into the establishment to eat. Mom got in line to get food. Her children were left in the care of her oldest son.

This young man knew exactly what he was doing. First, he found a high chair and drug it over to their table. Next, he lifted his young sister up and placed her gently into the chair. He took care to neatly tuck her coat and dress into the chair with her. Then he moved around to the front and pulled her legs through the slots.

Then he found a booster seat, carried it over to the booth, placed it securely against the wall and lifted his young brother up and into the seat.

His brother and sister did not resist his actions. They understood that he was helping them, that he loved them. This was not the first time that he had served. The whole scenario operated smoothly.

Big brother then began to entertain his little sister. He rolled her high chair back and forth, bringing a giggle to her small frame. Little brother squirmed a bit in his booster seat. He dislodged it from security, and it nearly dumped it's contents. The eldest realized what was about to happen, and came to the rescue.

Just then, Mom arrived. All was ready for her. As she dispersed the meal to each place, her oldest grabbed the cups and made two trips to fill them with the appropriate drinks. He reached up high to fill them with Sprite.

I watched in amazement. This Mother had trained her son well. She never told him what to do, he just did what needed to be done. He knew his significant task, and he embraced it. He fluidly worked through each step as if it had all been planned.

The Mom probably thought I was a stalker. Even though I was with friends, I could not help but sit and stare in utter astonishment.

Obviously, this family is not the norm. Too many times, a worn, disheveled mother enters with screaming children who begin to bounce off of the walls upon entry. They holler to mom and tell her what they want. Impatiently, they inquire if the food is ready. Mom desperately looks for retreat, but only finds judgment in the eyes of most onlookers.

This scene has played out all to often in cities across the U.S. What is so often missing from the landscape are parents who have "trained up [their] child[ren] in the way [they] should go."

At some point this young man realized I was watching. He began to sneak peeks at me to see if I was still with him. He seemed embarrassed. His glances came as he moved through his tasks. He never stopped or rested until Mom arrived with the food, and all was set.

I do not know how old this young man was for sure, but I can tell you he had an "old soul." He had to have been small for his age. He was too competent, too under control, too mature.

He was about the size of my nephew.

My nephew is 7.

He reminded me of another. From and early age, He also did what needed to be done. He knew his significant task, and He embraced it. He fluidly worked through each step as if it had all been planned.

Sometimes Jesus sends people into my path to show me something. While the world is a flawed and sinful place, there are those who have risen above. There are those who are training their children for life. Showing them the way of our Savior.

He came to serve.

So did this young man. So did another. Praise God!



Tomorrow, we head to be with family to celebrate our Savior's birth! We will be here from time to time, but are uncertain when we will have internet access.

Please, have a very Merry Christmas! Be filled with His Peace and the Joy of serving Him! Know that you are loved and lifted up. As my friend from Greenfield often says, "God Bless!"

dad