At that time, they were in our area living with Grandma and Grandpa because dad wasn't on the scene and mom was having some troubles. They were in seventh and sixth grades respectively.The tug-of-war over where they were going to live continued until mom got control again and they moved to Pennsylvania. It seemed like not much good had or was going to happen to two lost young boys.
Carl had called several years ago. Both had quit school; he needed money to keep him out of jail. Grandpa, who still lived locally, said that wouldn't be a good idea as Carl was making some poor choices.
And then there was Friday!
He called again to let us know that he thought of us often and the fun that he and his brother had had at our home on more than one occasion. He recalled fun times in our old barn, at a family 4th of July, in our woods. We had taken them with us to the Pella Tulip Festival one day; overnight another time to Dyersville to see the Field of Dreams and several other sights that direction in eastern Iowa.
Because they had gone to church and Sunday School with us a handful of times, they let us know that they would go 'every Sunday' if someone would come pick them up. We live seven miles southeast of town; they lived seven miles the opposite direction. Another family, who lived even farther from Clarion that same direction, agreed to pick the boys up each week on their way to and from church.
That same summer they attended our church camp. Because of their close ages, the brothers went to the same camp week. The church paid a portion of their expenses. Some church people came up with the rest. While at camp, they made the decision to follow Jesus and were baptized back at church the next Sunday with grandma and grandpa in attendance.
Fast forward to today:
Carl and David both now have their GEDs. Carl, nearly 23, wants to start welding school, which takes 40 weeks. David, just turned 21, is employed at a Taco Bell and wants to begin their management classes; his girlfriend is assistant manger of the same Taco Bell.
Carl said, "I tell my girlfiend (who is in college) all the time about all of the good times we had back in Clarion. I have so many good memories. I just had to call to tell you how much I love all of you back there......"
I don't recall that any of us did that much; but it was making a difference for two young boys who didn't have too many good things happening to them. We were doing what we believed God wanted us to do; and God was and is doing the rest.....
In church today, Pastor Warren quoted a Bible verse from Matthew, "whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me...."
We wouldn't have known how much of an impact Jim and I plus a handful of church people made on these two seemingly lost boys, if Carl hadn't have called.
I recognize that one phone call doesn't a lifetime make, but the impact is still the same.....
Who knows what each of you as readers, is doing or has done to make a difference in the lives of similar young people?
It may be bigger than you think!