You Think You Have Problems?

When I get discouraged and think that my life is pretty tough, God finds a way to wake me up to reality. Things are never as bad as we make them out to be.

Last night I was to attend a court of honor for a young man who earned his Eagle rank in Boy Scouts.

• I was late getting out of work
• I couldn't find the gift I wanted to buy the new Eagle Scout at Borders
• I had to shovel dinner in my mouth and was still hungry when I finished
• I had to remind my son all the things he was supposed to do to prepare himself for the ceremony
• I couldn't catch a break on the lights
• I got lost on the way there
• I was exhausted
• I was late getting to the church

As quietly as I could, I sat in front of one of the Assistant Scoutmasters, who had his family there, including a son dressed in a scout uniform. I knew him from reputation (he's now attending college), but at the moment, all I could think about was how everything was going against me and how I'd explain my tardiness to all who noticed.

I was being self-absorbed.

The pastor was already giving a testimony of the new Eagle Scout, and at the moment I arrived, he was relaying the difficulties the scout had endured all of his life.

I won't go into it in detail here, but for reasons not associated with scouting at all, it involved multiple surgeries and inconceivable pain and hardship.

Though we'd excuse him if he did, he did not complain. Not once.

Then the Eagle Court was called, and all the Eagle Scouts in the audience made their way to the podium to offer support and accountability to the newest member. The young scout behind me -- the son of the Assistant Scoutmaster -- stood up as well. He, also, is an Eagle Scout.

And he is completely blind.

Another Eagle Scout assisted him to the front. All the way he had a tremendous glow. He knew the scout being honored and was very happy for him.

I smiled, too. And for the moment I forgot about how poorly I thought my day was going and just swelled with joy for the young men both on the stage and in the audience for their dedication and accomplishments.

But most of all, I was grateful for their spirit. It reminded me that things are never as bad as we think they are. And that even if they are, we do not need to be a slave to them. - Cam Beck 

Comments

[David Reich]

Thanks for the wake-up call, Cam. It's so easy for us to get wrapped up in our own little day-to-day problems that we can forget to look at all the blessings most of us enjoy, starting with waking up each morning, breathing, being able to see the sun or the clouds or the rain.

As an Eagle Scout, I know the hard work and positive attitude it takes to earn that rank. Scouting doesn't seem to be as popular as it was when I was young, at least not so much in this part of the country. That's a shame, because it teaches young people the best in values.

Thanks for sharing the story.

[Tony Chimento]

Wow Cam. Excellent post. Thanks.

[Polar Bear]

Congratulations to the newest Eagle Scout! And, to you, Cam, for your part in helping to find such outstanding young men and women who will preserve the values in our American families!