I’m writing this on our grandson Steve’s 16th birthday. While getting ready to help him celebrate this important birthday, I was reminded of his involvement with painting our roof.

Most folks would resist the temptation to steal something, even if they knew they wouldn’t be caught. A cab driver in Las Vegas returned $25,000 cash left in his cab. A young man returned 81 cents he picked up when the Brinks truck tipped over in Miami and spilled several hundred thousand dollars in coins. Honest isn’t just the best policy, it’s the only policy!

I was visiting with a young mother of three children recently. In the course of the conversation, I mentioned a local buffet restaurant. She said that they didn’t go there as a family, because paying for four adults was a bit steep. In my mind, I thought, “There are only two adults.” Then I realized that she and her husband were counting two of their children as adults because they were too old to qualify for the “10 and under” children’s rule. The guiding principle wasn’t whether or not these two children could get in the restaurant for the less expensive price. The principle involved here, put very simply was: what was honest! I assure you that, one, these children would have known if their parents had lied to save a few bucks and, two, these parents would have caused far more damage to the character-building process in their family than the money they might have saved.

I recently hired thirteen and a half year old Steve Meyer to do some painting on our roof. A roof repairman failed to follow through and finish his job. We were left with several patches of raw concrete that just didn’t blend in very well with the clean, white roof. I picked Steve up one day and brought him to our home. He came dressed for the job, brought a brush, a rag, and a very willing spirit. When he appeared to be finished, we both agreed that it was a job well-done! He was neat, hard-working, and quite skilled. He cleaned up after himself and put the ladder away. We negotiated a fair price for the job. As we headed back to his home, we both noticed a small area, removed from the main painting area, that didn’t get painted. I took responsibility because I was the “foreman” and told him where to paint. I just didn’t take that “final look” before he climbed down. We agreed that he would finish the job sometime when he came over to swim.

Steve has asked me several times about when I’d like him to finish the job. The day I’m writing this (March 7th), he and his siblings are coming over to our home for an over-nighter while their parents get away for a couple of days to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary. All on his own, Steve stated that he was bringing his old clothes and his paint brush in order to finish painting the roof. He didn’t pursue this to make more money. On the phone today, when I asked him why he thought of it, he said, “It’s just a matter of character!” How refreshing! I hear so many horror stories in family counseling of kids who won’t even pitch in and help with family chores without a constant battle. This is part of honesty, too. Steve could have just “forgotten” the remaining paint job. He could have put me through the process of nagging him to finish the job. I salute you, Steve (and all other good kids who behave in the same or similar manner). In a recent meeting with a good friend, I overheard his telephone conversation. Didn’t mean to, just couldn’t avoid it. After hanging up the phone, he explained that he’d called to apologize and ask forgiveness from someone with whom he’d played tennis earlier that day. He explained that a high lob shot had touched his hair – not enough to even change the direction of the ball – and he’d not called it properly. Even though it was a small thing, it bothered him. He even expressed thanks to the Lord that his conscience hadn’t lost its sensitivity.

According to the Bible, it’s the little foxes that spoil the vines. The big foxes eat the grapes; the little foxes gnaw on the vines. This girdling of the vine eventually leads to its demise. If we are faithful and honest in little things, the bigger things will fall into place. What kind of an example are we setting in our families, businesses, congregations, and friendships? Worth taking stock in my opinion!

(P.S.) Because of time problems, Steve didn’t get to finish the painting that day. However, he wanted to and tried to and that makes the point of my story.)

I believe you can make abundant application of the truths in this piece without a lot of help from me! If you want to let me know what you think or share your experience, use the “Leave a Reply” box below!

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