Standing Up for What Is Right

Isn't it great to know that there are still genuinely good people still in the world? Today's world is perfectly described in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (look it up!) but thank goodness....not everyone falls into that description. For example....let me tell you about my son, Spencer. Spencer just got his first job working at Subway. Working with the public has been an eye opening experience for him. I don't think anyone realizes how awful people can be until they've worked in a public service position.

Spencer works at the Subway in Gurley, Alabama. It is about 15 minutes from our home in Woodville. The owner and most of the employees are of Indian decent. At first Spencer struggled to understand them. They do have an accent different from ours. But he has adjusted and has become friends with his co-workers. In fact, he said that when he works with them he feels like he's their brother.

Needless to say when racist customers come in the store it is very disturbing to Spencer. Having been raised in the Gospel of Jesus Christ Spencer has been taught that God is no respecter of persons and loves ALL of his children. (Even if we don't act like we love Him.) Anyway, one day an older couple come in the store and one of the Indian workers was ready to prepare their food. The couple told the Indian guy that they didn't want him to fix their sandwich, they wanted the "white boy" to make their food. (Is this 2009?). Spencer quietly told them "no" he would not fix their food. The couple was a little surprised, and angry (most racists are angry), but they left the store. WAY TO GO SPENCER! That took A LOT of courage. We are so proud of him for taking a peaceful stand for what is right. His co-worker was touched and told him that he was a good man.

Spencer told his employer when he started the job that he would be unable to work on Sunday because it's the Sabbath. His employer agreed...but still put him on the schedule. Spencer has worked a few Sundays, but continues to tell his boss that he does not want to work on Sunday. His boss put him on the schedule for yesterday. Spencer told him that he would not be there. His boss insisted that he come in and left him on the schedule. Spencer took another courageous step and didn't show up for work yesterday. He told his boss he wouldn't, and he followed through with his word. ANOTHER PROUD PARENTAL MOMENT.

Spencer bought a Honda - it's a fixer upper. He really needs the money to fix his car. Also, he has reached that magical age of 16 and has started dating. You can't take a pretty girl out without any money! Standing up for what he believes in may cost him his job. We'll have to wait and see how this works out. Sometimes we do what is right, and things don't work out the way we hope. But I KNOW that Spencer will be blessed for making this decision. Either his boss will realize that Spencer is a man who lives what he believes and will recognize that this is what makes him a great and trustworthy employee; or his boss will make a stand and decide to let Spencer go.

Either way, things will be OK. Living the Gospel is an Adventure....we just have to do what is right and know that we will be blessed. Sometimes we're blessed in the way we hope and sometimes we are blessed in some unexpected, unforeseen way. That's the adventure....doing God's will, staying faithful, remaining hopeful, and completely trusting in His plan for our life. We have to remain positive and press forward with excitement down the new path that's been given us. Who knows what great things can happen when we take a leap of faith.

Thanks for the lesson, Spencer!