This morning on my way back from taking Alyssa, our senior in high school, to school I noticed a couple of boys standing by the street sign on the corner of our court. One of them was rocking the street sign back and forth. I wasn't sure if he was fascinated by the wobbling of the two street names fixed on top, or he was just showing off his middle school strength.
I was a little concerned because those street signs on top did not look very secure. I began to imagine them coming down and gashing one of those two boys on the head. After I pulled into our driveway I took a stroll down to the corner. I noticed the cement anchoring the sign was breaking apart. I think the young boy was just reveling in his ability to break apart something that looked strong in appearance, but in actuality was faulty.
I told him it was probably fun to be able to make the sign move like that, but he should look at what it was doing to the sidewalk. I told him it would now have to be repaired and asked him who was going to pay for the repair. He sheepishly said he would. I told him probably it would be his parents, the parents of the other boy, myself, and all those that pay taxes.
There are always consequences to our actions and sometimes we don't think about the damage we are doing to those around us. I also pointed out to the boy standing by that he had some responsibility in this. "I wasn't doing it," he said. "But you were watching," I replied. Sometimes we just stand by and watch without stepping in to stop something that needs to be stopped. We are as much at fault as the person doing the wrong.
After our conversation and I chatted with them about their school day and tried to show that I wasn't just policing their vandalism, but I was concerned about their well being also.
There are times when we don't get involved because we don't think it is our place, but if we don't do something who will? I hope I can continue to get to know these boys, since they are often at our street corner. I also hope they will begin to notice the world around them and that their actions effect more than just their own little world.
Jesus talks about this in Matthew 5: 13, when he says we are to be the salt of the earth. We need to be involved in our world, not only spreading the good news, but helping others see we all have responsibility to make this world a better place.
Seeking to add spice to life,
Pastor Randy
