All Because Of A. J.

All Because of A. J.

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

My husband noticed the student host wandering around a bit at the prom for students with special needs and then approached him to say hello. As they began to chat, the young man revealed, a bit sheepishly, that until that afternoon he had thought the prom was in St. Paul, not St. Michael. Despite knowing that it would double his drive time, he figured that since he had signed up and committed to volunteering, he would come anyway.

His name was A. J., and he talked animatedly of his plans to become a special education teacher after graduating from college and how much he loved working with his students every summer in the local adapted softball program. By the end of the night, he was mugging for the camera in the photo booth with the honored guests, having the time of his life.

Impressed with his character and his decision to volunteer at the prom despite the inconvenience of the drive, Tim contacted the head of A. J.’s adapted softball team the following week and asked if there was a way he could donate to the program.

The coach was surprised by Tim’s phone call. “Not many people in the community know about our program. How did you hear about us?” the coach asked. As Tim explained about the prom for students with special needs and how A. J.’s story inspired him to want to help, the coach was clearly touched.

It can be easy to discount someone simply because of their age or experience. Yet Scripture tells us that just because someone is young doesn’t mean they can’t be an example to others. Despite A. J.’s youth, his desire to help others shone through. His character and commitment to helping others was the reason Tim went the extra mile to help an adapted softball team in another community, a program Tim likely would never have even known about without meeting A. J.

—Kristin

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Whose character impresses you? Go out of your way to tell them so.