Timberdoodle

I love the Timberdoodle catalog. I just got an e-mail from them. Part of the body of that e-mail is pasted below. I thought it was a good reminder of things to cultivate in our kids...

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With today's economy and our recently upgraded efficiency, we don't have a huge need for an additional summer workforce. But, mostly out of habit, we continue to evaluate the youth around as potential employees. Here are some of the things that catch our eye.

We are attracted to any young adult who can comfortably engage all manner of people in conversation. When we witness a young man captivated by a six-year-old's wiggly tooth, concerned about a peer's blown engine and chuckling over an elder's memoirs, we know we have someone who can interact with our customers in an honorable way.

When we see that same individual showing initiative by scooping up a bit of stray garbage off the church parking lot, or volunteering for tiresome tasks like arranging the chairs every Sunday, or even refraining from joining his peers as they engage in cocky boastful activities, we know we've found a gentleman whose conduct can be counted on.

And while love is a term that is used more often in conjunction with pizza than with God, we are drawn to anyone that knows how to show sacrificial love. It may entail roofing in 90-degree heat, respite care for the elderly, or pet care for the infirm. God gives everyone multiple ways to set aside personal freedoms; when we see a young person elect to do so, it speaks well of his ability to see needs and meet them.

In the twenty-some years we have been hiring youths we have been blessed with some of the finest young people our county has to offer. Most have truly exemplified I Timothy 4:12, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."