Heading West

A teacher tells a story about one her students named Billy: “Billy was the resident cowboy of my kindergarten class, coming to school each day dressed in chaps, a vest, and a cowboy hat. One morning, he excitedly told me that his mother was going to have a baby. ‘I’m going to teach my little brother all the things every cowboy should know, like how to ride a horse and rope a steer,’ he exclaimed. ‘But,’ I cautioned, ‘what if your mother gives you a baby sister?’ Billy had never considered this, and the possibility stunned him. He gazed out the window for a moment, before saying with resignation, ‘Then I’m headin’ west’ (John Cimics, “Heading West,” in Juliana LaBianca, “7 True Stories That Will Remind You Why Teachers Are Amazing,” Reader’s Digest, accessed July 26, 2019, https://www.rd.com/advice/parenting/teacher-true-stories/). Unfortunately, this is oftentimes the way adults treat those around them; with conditions for their love and service. If Christians are to care and lead the way Jesus cared and led, Christians should serve anyone and everyone.